Quick Answer
The answer is full disk encryption. This is the correct security measure because full disk encryption (FDE) encrypts the entire contents of a hard drive, including the operating system, applications, and all data at rest, using strong algorithms like AES-256. If the drive is stolen, the data remains completely unreadable without the correct decryption key or passphrase, even if the drive is physically removed and attached to another system. On the CompTIA ITF+ FC0-U61 exam, this question tests your understanding of data-at-rest protection versus other controls like file-level encryption or access permissions, which only protect individual files or require the OS to be running. A common trap is confusing full disk encryption with file encryption; remember that FDE locks the entire drive from the moment the system powers off. A helpful memory tip: think of FDE as a "whole-drive vault" that protects data even when the drive is stolen and plugged into a different computer.
This FC0-U61 practice question tests your understanding of infrastructure. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A company stores sensitive data and wants to ensure that if a hard drive is stolen, the data cannot be read. Which security measure should be implemented?
RAID 1
Why wrong: RAID 1 mirrors data for fault tolerance, not security.
Full disk encryption
Encryption scrambles data so it cannot be read without the key.
Antivirus software
Why wrong: Antivirus protects against malicious software, not physical theft.
Strong passwords
Why wrong: Passwords protect logical access, but a stolen drive can be bypassed.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Full disk encryption
Full disk encryption (FDE) encrypts the entire contents of a hard drive, including the operating system, applications, and all data, using algorithms such as AES-256. If the drive is stolen, the data remains unreadable without the decryption key or passphrase, even if the drive is physically removed and attached to another system. This directly addresses the requirement of protecting data at rest on a stolen drive.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
RAID 1
Why it's wrong here
RAID 1 mirrors data for fault tolerance, not security.
Full disk encryption
Why this is correct
Encryption scrambles data so it cannot be read without the key.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Antivirus software
Why it's wrong here
Antivirus protects against malicious software, not physical theft.
Strong passwords
Why it's wrong here
Passwords protect logical access, but a stolen drive can be bypassed.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse data-at-rest protection (encryption) with access control (passwords) or redundancy (RAID), mistakenly thinking that strong passwords or RAID alone can prevent data exposure from a stolen drive.
Detailed technical explanation
Full disk encryption typically operates at the sector level, encrypting every sector of the drive transparently via a driver (e.g., BitLocker using TPM, or LUKS on Linux). The encryption key is stored in a protected area (such as a TPM chip) or derived from a passphrase; without it, the drive appears as random noise. In a real-world scenario, even if an attacker steals the drive and performs a forensic analysis, they cannot recover plaintext data without the key, making FDE a critical control for compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the FC0-U61 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Infrastructure — This question tests Infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Full disk encryption — Full disk encryption (FDE) encrypts the entire contents of a hard drive, including the operating system, applications, and all data, using algorithms such as AES-256. If the drive is stolen, the data remains unreadable without the decryption key or passphrase, even if the drive is physically removed and attached to another system. This directly addresses the requirement of protecting data at rest on a stolen drive.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This FC0-U61 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U61 exam.
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