Which method is LEAST effective for enhancing the portability of cloud data to avoid vendor lock-in?

Using Digital Rights Management (DRM) and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions is least effective for enhancing the portability of cloud data and avoiding vendor lock-in because these technologies primarily focus on securing data and managing access rather than facilitating its migration or interoperability between different cloud environments. DRM serves to protect intellectual property and control how digital content is used, while DLP aims to prevent data breaches and ensure sensitive data is handled properly. However, neither directly addresses the critical issue of data format compatibility or standardization necessary for seamless data portability.

On the other hand, avoiding proprietary data formats encourages the use of open standards that can be easily adopted across different platforms, thus facilitating easier transfer of data between different cloud providers. Ensuring favorable contract terms can help negotiate conditions that support elasticity and modularity, allowing data to be moved without severe financial penalties. Similarly, eliminating physical limitations to moving data ensures that there are no technical barriers preventing the transfer of data between systems, further enhancing portability.