How can a system administrator restrict users from viewing certain fields?

Setting the field to hidden using field-level security is the most effective way for a system administrator to restrict users from viewing certain fields. Field-level security controls the visibility and editability of specific fields for users based on their profiles. By adjusting field-level security, the administrator can ensure that certain fields are not visible to users who do not possess the appropriate permissions, thereby maintaining data privacy and security.

This approach allows for precise control over field visibility across different user profiles, which is essential in environments where sensitive information must be safeguarded. Additionally, field-level security applies uniformly, regardless of where the field appears, enabling consistent management of visibility across various contexts such as page layouts, reports, and list views.

In contrast, the other options, while they may seem relevant, do not effectively restrict field access in the same manner. Setting a field to hidden on the user role does not typically exist as an option in many systems; it is more about profiles and permissions. Removing fields from page layouts or reports may hide them in specific user interfaces but does not prevent users from accessing that data entirely if they have permission based on their profile. Users could still access the fields through other means, such as APIs or other parts of the system where those permissions are applicable.