Which of the following practices strengthens load balancer effectiveness in network security?

Regularly updating server configurations significantly strengthens load balancer effectiveness in network security because it ensures that the servers behind the load balancer are running the latest security patches and configurations. This practice minimizes vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. When configurations are kept up to date, it not only addresses known security flaws but also fortifies the overall security posture of the servers, making it more challenging for malicious entities to launch successful attacks.

Integrating automated security assessments does enhance overall security but focuses more on identifying vulnerabilities rather than directly impacting the operational integrity and performance of the load balancer. Distributing traffic to both secure and insecure servers undermines the very purpose of load balancing, as it introduces security risks instead of mitigating them. Centralizing data storage, while beneficial in data management, does not inherently improve the effectiveness of a load balancer in terms of security functions; it could even introduce a single point of failure if not properly handled.