What is a potential consequence of neglecting to encrypt sensitive data on mobile devices?

Neglecting to encrypt sensitive data on mobile devices can lead to unauthorized access to that data. When sensitive information is not encrypted, it remains in a readable format. This exposes the data to various threats, such as hacking, theft, or loss of the device itself. If the device falls into the wrong hands, anyone can easily access the unprotected data, leading to significant breaches of privacy and confidentiality.

Unauthorized access can result in various consequences, including identity theft, financial loss, and exposure of personal or organizational information that could be exploited maliciously. Encryption acts as a critical defense mechanism, transforming readable data into a format that can only be interpreted by someone who possesses the correct decryption key, thereby protecting it even if the device is compromised.

Other options do not accurately represent the consequences of failing to encrypt sensitive data. For example, improved battery life and faster data retrieval times are not relevant to the security of sensitive information, and while encrypting data may require some processing power, it ultimately enhances data integrity and protection rather than leading to data loss.