What type of memory configuration allows for improved boot security and faster initialization of hardware?

The correct choice is UEFI, which stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. UEFI improves upon traditional BIOS by providing enhanced security features and faster initialization of hardware during the boot process. One of the key benefits of UEFI is its support for Secure Boot, a feature that helps ensure that the system boots only trusted software by verifying the digital signatures of the boot process and the operating system before allowing them to run.

Moreover, UEFI can initialize hardware in parallel rather than sequentially, leading to quicker boot times when the computer starts up. This multi-tasking capability contrasts with the older BIOS systems, which perform hardware initializations one at a time, potentially slowing down the boot process.

In contrast, BIOS does not offer the same level of security features or the rapid hardware initialization that UEFI provides. ROM (Read-Only Memory) refers to a type of memory used for storing firmware but does not specifically pertain to boot security. CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) relates to a small amount of memory used to store BIOS settings, but it is not responsible for boot security or hardware initialization speed. Thus, UEFI stands out for its modern architecture that enhances both security and boot performance.