Which of the following is a key characteristic of a honeypot?

A honeypot is a security resource designed to be attacked or compromised. Its primary purpose is to attract potential cybercriminals, allowing security professionals to study their methods and techniques in a controlled environment. By simulating vulnerabilities, honeypots serve as decoys, drawing attackers away from legitimate targets. The data collected from these interactions can provide valuable insights into attack patterns and help in improving overall security measures.

The other options do not accurately describe a honeypot's function. While storing sensitive data and backing up critical systems are essential aspects of data protection in IT, those do not align with the purpose of a honeypot. Operating under high security protocols is important for many systems, but honeypots intentionally exist with certain vulnerabilities to entice attackers; thus, they are not strictly secure environments.