Data manipulation in an industrial context refers to which of the following actions?

In an industrial context, data manipulation specifically involves modifying data that affects system operations and outputs. The act of changing register data to impact output without altering the actual programming is a prime example of data manipulation. This could occur in scenarios where control systems (like SCADA or PLCs) are compromised or misconfigured, causing them to produce incorrect outputs based on the changes made to register data.

This form of manipulation can have serious implications for operational integrity and safety within an industrial environment, as it could lead to incorrect processes or even hazardous situations. The focus here is on how data is adjusted to influence operational results, making this option directly relevant to data manipulation in an industrial context.

In contrast, altering user access permissions primarily pertains to security management rather than data manipulation. Deleting unnecessary system files is related to system maintenance and housekeeping, while encrypting sensitive data serves a protective purpose, ensuring confidentiality and integrity but does not manipulate the actual operation or output of systems. Thus, these actions do not exemplify data manipulation in the same impactful way that changing register data does.