What is the primary method used for securing sensitive information during transmission?

The primary method used for securing sensitive information during transmission is encryption techniques. Encryption is a process that converts data into a coded format that can only be read by someone who has the appropriate decryption key. This ensures that even if the data is intercepted during transmission, it remains unreadable and secure from unauthorized access.

Encryption plays a vital role in protecting sensitive information such as personal identification details, credit card numbers, and confidential communications. It is widely used in various protocols, such as SSL/TLS for secure web browsing and VPNs for private network connections, ensuring that data remains confidential while being transmitted over potentially insecure networks like the internet.

While compression algorithms are beneficial for reducing data size and facilitating faster transmission, they do not provide any security features. Data backups are essential for data recovery rather than securing information during transmission. Firewalls are important for protecting networks from unauthorized access but do not encrypt data being transmitted. Thus, encryption techniques stand out as the primary method for securing sensitive data in transit.