What key feature should be planned before restoring a VM that holds sensitive data?

Planning for data encryption methods is essential before restoring a virtual machine that holds sensitive data because encryption protects data confidentiality. When sensitive information is involved, it is crucial to ensure that data is encrypted both at rest and in transit. This minimizes the risk of unauthorized access during the restoration process or afterwards. If the data were to be intercepted or accessed without proper safeguards, sensitive information could be compromised, which would lead to significant security risks and potential compliance issues.

Integrating encryption methods not only secures the data but also maintains integrity and trust with users or clients who depend on that sensitive information. Thus, evaluating data encryption strategies before proceeding with the restoration of a VM ensures that sensitive information remains protected throughout the entire process.