CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Certification!

The correct answer is the CPU. The central processing unit (CPU) is responsible for executing encryption and decryption algorithms, which can be computationally intensive processes. When data is encrypted or decrypted, the CPU performs complex mathematical calculations and transforms the data, which can lead to increased usage and load on this component.

Encryption often requires significant processing power, particularly for algorithms that involve large data sets or require high levels of security. If the demand for secure data transmission and storage increases, the CPU will need to handle more tasks associated with these processes. While other components like memory and disk drives may also be involved in data handling, the actual computational work of encryption and decryption falls primarily on the CPU.

Graphics cards might assist with certain types of processing, particularly those involving parallel processing tasks, but they are not the primary component affected by standard encryption and decryption operations focused on data security. Thus, emphasizing the role of the CPU is crucial in understanding which component bears the load during these processes.