You are coordinating a joint EU mission in a conflict zone and must share sensitive diplomatic cables with partner nations. The EEAS requires that all digital communications adhere to the highest standards of security and integrity while respecting EU data protection principles. According to the EU's approach to cybersecurity and the specific context of the European External Action Service (EEAS) coordinating international action, which of the following actions BEST ensures the security of sensitive data while maintaining the integrity of the communication channel? A. Encrypting the data at rest and in transit using strong standards and verifying the identity of the recipient via a trusted digital certificate before transmission. B. Compressing the files to a ZIP format to reduce bandwidth usage, then sending them via a public social media platform to ensure rapid delivery to all stakeholders. C. Relying solely on the confidentiality of the email address used for transmission, as the EEAS internal network is considered a secure 'air-gapped' environment for all international communications. D. Publishing the sensitive cables on a public website to ensure transparency and accessibility for all global partners, as the EEAS mission statement prioritizes open information. E. Storing all sensitive diplomatic cables on a public, unencrypted cloud storage service to facilitate easy collaboration across multiple member states.