MEASURE PROVIDING APPROPRIATE SECURITY AND NOT NECESSARILY THE MAXIMUM SECURITY THAT IS POSSIBLE IS REQUIRED FOR PERSONAL DATA?
- TRUE
- FALSE
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is 1. TRUE.
In terms of personal data security, the general principle is to provide a level of security that is appropriate to the sensitivity of the data, the potential risks, and the impact of a security breach. It is not always necessary or practical to implement the highest possible level of security in every case.
Explanation:
Appropriate security means that organizations should take reasonable measures to protect personal data, considering various factors, including:
- The sensitivity of the data: Highly sensitive data (such as financial or medical information) might require stronger security measures, while less sensitive data might only need basic protection.
- The risks involved: The level of risk posed to the data by potential breaches, including the likelihood and severity of consequences, should determine the security measures implemented. A data breach involving a large volume of highly sensitive personal information would require more robust security than a breach involving a limited amount of publicly available data.
- The cost and practicality of implementation: Security measures should be proportionate to the cost, effort, and practicality of implementing them. While it is ideal to protect personal data to the highest standards, organizations must also balance this with the resources available, the risk level, and the expected outcome.
Regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the U.S. focus on the requirement for “appropriate” and “reasonable” security measures. The laws encourage organizations to implement reasonable safeguards that align with the risks posed by their data processing activities, which could vary significantly depending on the nature of the data and the threats involved.
Thus, the emphasis is on making informed decisions that match the level of risk, rather than aiming for the highest possible level of security, which may be unnecessary or impractical in many cases.