Learn the most appropriate method for managing personally identifiable information once its retention period concludes. Discover best practices for data protection and privacy compliance.
Table of Contents
Question
Which of the following is the best control to apply to personally identifiable data when the retention period ends?
A. De-identification.
B. Anonymization.
C. Archiving.
D. Deletion.
Answer
When the retention period for personally identifiable data ends, the best control to apply is deletion (Option D).
Explanation
Deletion is the most suitable action when personal data is no longer needed for its original purpose and has reached the end of its designated retention period. By permanently erasing the data, organizations ensure that it cannot be accessed, used, or potentially breached in the future. This approach aligns with data minimization principles and helps maintain privacy compliance.
While other options may seem plausible, they have certain drawbacks:
- De-identification (Option A): This process involves removing personally identifiable elements from the data. However, there is still a risk that the data could be re-identified through various techniques, especially if the de-identification is not performed thoroughly.
- Anonymization (Option B): Anonymization goes a step further than de-identification by irreversibly altering the data so that it cannot be traced back to specific individuals. While this is a strong privacy measure, it may not always be necessary or practical, especially if the data is no longer needed at all.
- Archiving (Option C): Archiving data means moving it to long-term storage for potential future use or reference. However, if the retention period has already ended, there is typically no valid reason to keep the data archived. Archiving also carries the risk of unauthorized access or breaches if not properly secured.
In summary, deletion is the most appropriate control to apply to personally identifiable data once its retention period concludes. This approach ensures that the data is permanently removed, reducing privacy risks and demonstrating responsible data management practices.
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