When executing a read request in Cassandra, what additional step can ensure consistency?

Setting a tighter consistency level during a read request in Cassandra is a significant step to ensure data consistency. In Cassandra, the consistency level defines the number of nodes that must respond to a read request for it to be considered successful. By choosing a tighter consistency level, such as QUORUM or ALL, you increase the chances that the data retrieved is the most recent and accurate, as more nodes need to confirm their data before a response is provided. This helps to mitigate issues that can arise from eventual consistency, where nodes may have different versions of the same data.

In contrast, while increasing the replication factor does enhance data availability and durability, it does not directly impact the consistency of read operations. Similarly, asymmetric encryption relates to security rather than data consistency. Reducing data redundancy may impact how efficiently data is stored, but it does not contribute to the consistency of reads. Therefore, setting a tighter consistency level is the most effective approach in this scenario to ensure that the application retrieves the desired state of the data.