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Context determines meaning. The sentence lists concrete security measures—encryption and multi-factor authentication—widely recognized as strong protections. Therefore, “robust” means strong and effective (answer C). Options A and B contradict the positive security connotation; D (“temporary”) addresses duration rather than strength. For PERT Reading vocabulary-in-context, use the evidence words around the target term to triangulate meaning. Here, the purpose clause “To protect patient data” and the examples that follow the comma create a definition-by-exemplification: the safeguards are substantial, not flimsy. A solid test tactic is substitution: replace “robust” with each option and read the sentence aloud—only “strong and effective” preserves the logic and tone. Recognizing how writers use specific, real-world examples (encryption, MFA) to clarify general descriptors is essential across academic texts—policy briefs, technical summaries, and research methods sections often rely on this pattern. Finally, note that “robust” in research can also mean resilient across conditions; in security, it usually emphasizes strength against threats—both senses point toward reliability, not weakness or brevity.