What is the role of TLS in data security?

• A. TLS compresses and stores data at rest on servers.
• B. TLS is a hardware device that blocks malware.
• C. TLS provides encryption and integrity for data in transit between endpoints.
• D. TLS replaces the need for authentication.

Answer: (C)

TLS protects data as it moves between two endpoints by encrypting it and ensuring its integrity, while also allowing the parties to verify each other’s identities through certificates during the handshake. This combination keeps information confidential from eavesdroppers and makes sure that any tampering of the data is detected, so you know if a message has been altered in transit. It also supports authenticating the server (and optionally the client), which helps prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. TLS does not store data at rest, is not a hardware device, and does not replace authentication; it works with authentication to secure communications. So its primary role is encryption and integrity for data in transit between endpoints.