How should sensitive information be protected when transmitted?

How should sensitive information be protected when transmitted?

• A. Use encrypted channels, password-protected files, secure storage, and minimize exposure.
• B. Use unencrypted channels for speed.
• C. Email freely to any recipient.
• D. Copy data to portable drives and leave in public place.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is protecting data as it moves and where it’s stored by using layered safeguards that reduce risk at multiple points. Using encrypted channels makes any intercepted information unreadable, so the transmission stays confidential. Password-protected files add a gatekeeping step, so even if someone can access the file, they still need the password to open it. Secure storage protects data on devices or servers from unauthorized access if the hardware is lost or compromised. Minimizing exposure means sharing only what’s necessary and for the shortest time needed, which lowers the chance of a leak or breach. Put together, these measures address both in-transit and at-rest protections and reduce opportunities for harm. Unencrypted channels expose data to interception; emailing freely to any recipient increases the chance of leakage; copying data to portable drives and leaving them in public places makes theft or loss easy.

The main idea is protecting data as it moves and where it’s stored by using layered safeguards that reduce risk at multiple points. Using encrypted channels makes any intercepted information unreadable, so the transmission stays confidential. Password-protected files add a gatekeeping step, so even if someone can access the file, they still need the password to open it. Secure storage protects data on devices or servers from unauthorized access if the hardware is lost or compromised. Minimizing exposure means sharing only what’s necessary and for the shortest time needed, which lowers the chance of a leak or breach. Put together, these measures address both in-transit and at-rest protections and reduce opportunities for harm.

Unencrypted channels expose data to interception; emailing freely to any recipient increases the chance of leakage; copying data to portable drives and leaving them in public places makes theft or loss easy.