Final answer:
A firewall is a technical safeguard against security threats, as it controls network traffic to block malicious activities. Passwords are administrative safeguards, encryption secures data, and compliance pertains to legal adherence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks which of the following is a technical safeguard against security threats. Of the options provided, a firewall is a technical safeguard. A firewall is a network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. Its primary function is to establish a barrier between your internal network and external sources (such as the internet) to block malicious traffic like viruses and hackers.
Passwords, while important for security, are considered an administrative safeguard because they rely on users choosing and remembering a secure password. Encryption is a method of converting information or data into a code to prevent unauthorized access, which indeed is a technical control but is more about securing data than managing network traffic. Lastly, compliance refers to adherence to laws and regulations, making it a type of organizational safeguard.