What is the primary goal of encrypting sensitive documents sent via email?

The primary goal of encrypting sensitive documents sent via email is to prevent unauthorized access. Encryption converts the information contained in a document into a code that can only be deciphered by individuals who possess the correct decryption key or password. This is crucial for protecting sensitive information such as financial data, personal identification, or confidential corporate information when transmitted over the internet, where it may be susceptible to interception by unauthorized parties.

While the other options may seem relevant in some contexts, they do not capture the main purpose of encryption. Making documents easier to read contradicts the function of encryption, which often involves scrambling the content to prevent readability by anyone without access rights. Saving storage space and improving loading speeds are not related to the core purpose of encryption; rather, they pertain to file management and web optimization techniques. Thus, preventing unauthorized access stands as the definitive rationale for employing encryption when sending sensitive documents via email.