Which of the following best describes the role of encryption in IoT security?

Encryption plays a crucial role in IoT security primarily by safeguarding sensitive information from being accessed by unauthorized parties. In the context of the Internet of Things, devices frequently collect and transmit personal or sensitive data, making it imperative to protect this information. By encrypting data, even if it is intercepted during transmission, it becomes incomprehensible to anyone who does not possess the appropriate decryption key. This ensures that the privacy and integrity of the data are maintained, which is essential to build trust in IoT systems and protect users from potential malicious activities, such as data breaches and identity theft. This focus on protecting data from unauthorized access underlines the importance of encryption as a foundational security measure in the realm of IoT.