Which of the following is a consequence of configuration drift?

Configuration drift refers to a situation where the actual configuration of a device or system gradually diverges from its intended configuration over time. This can occur due to a variety of factors, such as manual changes made by administrators, software updates, or even automated processes that do not align with the desired state.

When configuration drift happens, there is a noticeable mismatch between what the organization intends for its devices to be and what they actually are. This can lead to several issues, such as vulnerabilities, compliance failures, and operational inconsistencies. Therefore, the correct answer highlights that a primary consequence of configuration drift is this very mismatch between the actual and intended device state.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the implications of configuration drift. Increased consistency, for example, is the opposite of what occurs; when drift happens, consistency is compromised. Similarly, improved security posture and enhanced user experience suggest positive outcomes, which are generally not associated with configuration drift, as it often leads to vulnerabilities and a lack of uniformity.