The implementation of a hardware device control policy based on whitelisting permits connections only from specifically allowed devices, typically identified by their hardware IDs. This offers a balance between security and functionality, allowing approved devices to be used without giving access to all. Disabling all ports would prohibit the use of any device, conflicting with the requirement to allow certain devices. Encryption secures the data but does not restrict device usage. While disabling the automatic execution feature can prevent certain types of malware, it does not restrict the actual connection of devices.