What type of encryption allows the encryption of only a portion of a hard drive?

Volume encryption is a method that allows for the encryption of specific sections or volumes of a hard drive instead of the entire disk. This approach is particularly useful for organizations that want to protect sensitive data without the need to encrypt non-sensitive information, which could lead to performance overhead. Volume encryption can be applied to a logical partition of the disk, allowing users to store encrypted data in designated areas while leaving the rest of the drive accessible without encryption.

Full disk encryption, on the other hand, secures the entire hard drive, which means all data is encrypted regardless of its sensitivity. File encryption encrypts individual files rather than sections of the drive and may not provide the same level of organization for data protection on a broader scale. Segmented encryption is not a widely recognized term in the context of standard encryption practices.

By focusing on encrypting only a portion of the hard drive, volume encryption provides flexibility in data protection strategies while maintaining overall performance and accessibility for less sensitive data. This targeted approach is beneficial for both security management and operational efficiency.