Which of the following best describes Metadata?

Metadata is best described as data that provides information about other data. This means it is the context or descriptors surrounding data that help clarify its meaning, purpose, format, and structure. Metadata serves multiple purposes, such as enabling data discovery, organization, management, and understanding. For instance, in a library system, a book's title, author, publication date, and subject matter are all metadata that provide insights into the content of the book.

While the other options mention different aspects of data management, they do not encapsulate the essence of metadata. For example, data that is used to analyze user behavior focuses on information derived from interactions but does not describe the characteristics of the data itself. Raw data collected from sensors refers to the primary data that may require metadata to provide context and understanding. Data that is protected for security reasons suggests a status of data but not what metadata is fundamentally about, which is the information detailing other data.