The Presentation Layer does which of the following?

The correct choice, which focuses on the role of the Presentation Layer in a networking context, highlights its vital function in data communication. The Presentation Layer is responsible for the format of the data exchanged between applications. This includes transforming data into a format that can be sent over the network and back into a perceptible format for the receiving application.

In terms of security, one critical aspect of data management dealt with by the Presentation Layer is encryption and decryption. When sensitive data is transmitted over a network, encrypting it ensures that only authorized parties can read the information. Similarly, when this data is received, it must be decrypted so that it can be understood by the end-user application. This process not only preserves data confidentiality but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and security of that data during transmission.

The other choices, while related to networking and data management concepts, do not accurately describe the specific functions of the Presentation Layer. Managing network traffic pertains more to the responsibilities of lower layers like the Network Layer, while data storage is handled by other systems, such as databases, and maintaining session states is managed by the Session Layer. Therefore, the emphasis on encryption and decryption clearly defines the core responsibility of the Presentation Layer in data communication.