Which of the following is a primary cause of data loss?

Human error is recognized as a primary cause of data loss due to the various ways individuals can unintentionally compromise data integrity and availability. This can include actions such as accidentally deleting files, misconfiguring settings, failing to save work, or incorrectly handling sensitive information. Unlike other causes, which may be more systematic or external, human error is inherently linked to the behaviors and practices of users, making it a significant threat to data security.

While software issues, network failures, and natural disasters can indeed lead to data loss, they are often less frequent in comparison to the everyday mistakes made by users. Software issues might include bugs or vulnerabilities, network failures can disrupt access but may be recoverable, and natural disasters, though potentially devastating, occur rarely and are often mitigated through backups and disaster recovery plans. The commonality and frequency of human error in interactions with technology make it a notable primary cause of data loss.