Free Practice Questions for Isaca CDPSE Exam

Anonymization is a technique that removes or modifies all identifiers in a data set to prevent or limit the identification of the data subjects. Anonymization is an IT privacy practitioner’s best recommendation to reduce privacy risk before an organization provides personal data to a third party, as it would protect the privacy of the data subjects by reducing the linkability of the data set with their original identity, and also comply with the data minimization principle that requires limiting the collection, storage and processing of personal data to what is necessary and relevant for the intended purposes. Anonymization would also preserve some characteristics or patterns of the original data that can be used for analysis or research purposes by the third party, without compromising the accuracy or quality of the results. The other options are not as effective as anonymization in reducing privacy risk before an organization provides personal data to a third party. Tokenization is a technique that replaces sensitive or confidential data with non-sensitive tokens or placeholders that do not reveal the original data, but it does not prevent or limit the identification of the data subjects, as tokens can be reversed or linked back to the original data using a tokenization system or key. Aggregation is a technique that combines individual data into groups or categories that do not reveal the identity of the data subjects, but it may not prevent or limit the identification of the data subjects, as aggregated data can be de-aggregated or re-identified using other sources of information or techniques. Encryption is a technique that transforms plain text data into cipher text using an algorithm and a key, making it unreadable by unauthorized parties, but it does not prevent or limit the identification of the data subjects, as encrypted data can be decrypted or linked back to the original data using an encryption system or key1, p. 74-75 References: 1: CDPSE Review Manual (Digital Version)

The most useful information for prioritizing database selection for encryption is the asset classification scheme. An asset classification scheme is a system of organizing and categorizing assets based on their value, sensitivity, criticality, or risk level. An asset classification scheme helps to determine the appropriate level of protection or handling for each asset. For example, an asset classification scheme may assign labels such as public, internal, confidential, or secret to different types of data based on their impact if compromised. Databases that contain higher-classified data should be prioritized for encryption to prevent unauthorized access, disclosure, or modification.

Database administration audit logs, historical security incidents, or penetration test results are also useful information for database security, but they are not the most useful for prioritizing database selection for encryption. Database administration audit logs are records of activities performed by database administrators or other privileged users on the database system. Database administration audit logs help to monitor and verify the actions and changes made by authorized users and detect any anomalies or violations. Historical security incidents are records of events that have compromised or threatened the security of the database system in the past. Historical security incidents help to identify and analyze the root causes, impacts, and lessons learned from previous breaches or attacks. Penetration test results are reports of simulated attacks performed by ethical hackers or security experts on the database system to evaluate its vulnerabilities and defenses. Penetration test results help to discover and exploit any weaknesses or gaps in the database security posture and recommend remediation actions.

References: Data Classification Policy - SANS Institute, Database Security Best Practices - Oracle, [Database Security: An Essential Guide | IBM]

Endpoint encryption is a security practice that transforms the data stored on a laptop or other device into an unreadable format using a secret key or algorithm. Endpoint encryption protects the privacy of data in case of loss or theft, by ensuring that only authorized parties can access and use the data, while unauthorized parties cannot decipher or modify the data without the key or algorithm. Endpoint encryption also helps to comply with data protection laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which require data controllers and processors to implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to safeguard personal data.

The other options are less effective or irrelevant for protecting the privacy of data stored on a laptop in case of loss or theft. Strong authentication controls, such as passwords, biometrics or multifactor authentication, are important for verifying the identity and access rights of users, but they do not protect the data from being accessed by bypassing or breaking the authentication mechanisms. Remote wipe is a feature that allows users or administrators to erase the data on a lost or stolen device remotely, but it depends on the availability of network connection and device power, and it may not prevent data recovery by sophisticated tools. Regular backups are a process of creating copies of data for recovery purposes, such as in case of data loss or corruption, but they do not protect the data from being accessed by unauthorized parties who may obtain the backup media or files.

References:

An Ethical Approach to Data Privacy Protection - ISACA, section 2: “Encryption is one of the most effective security controls available to enterprises, but it can be challenging to deploy and maintain across a complex enterprise landscape.”

How to Protect and Secure Your Data in 10 Ways - TechRepublic, section 1: “Encrypt your hard drive Most work laptops use BitLocker to encrypt local files. That way, if the computer is stolen or hacked, the data it contains will be useless to the malicious actor.”

10 Tips to Protect Your Files on PC and Cloud - microsoft.com, section 1: “Encrypt your hard drive Most work laptops use BitLocker to encrypt local files. That way, if the computer is stolen or hacked, the data it contains will be useless to the malicious actor.”

11 practical ways to keep your IT systems safe and secure | ICO, section 1: “Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication Make sure you use strong passwords on smartphones, laptops, tablets, email accounts and any other devices or accounts where personal information is stored.”

Data mapping is the process of defining how data elements from different sources are related, transformed, and transferred to a common destination. Data mapping is the first step when developing an application link because it helps to ensure that the data exchanged between the API and the third-party application is consistent, accurate, and compatible. Data mapping also helps to identify any gaps, errors, or conflicts in the data and resolve them before the data transfer occurs.

References:

What is Data Mapping?, Talend

Data Mapping: What It Is and How to Do It, Xplenty

The right to be forgotten is a privacy right that allows individuals to request the deletion or removal of their personal data from a data controller’s records or systems under certain conditions. One of these conditions is when the data is no longer required for the purpose originally collected, meaning that the data has become obsolete, irrelevant or excessive for fulfilling the initial purpose for which it was obtained or processed by the data controller. The other options are not valid conditions for exercising the right to be forgotten. The data is being used to comply with legal obligations or public interest is an exception that may prevent the data controller from deleting or removing the data upon request, as there may be overriding legitimate grounds for retaining the data for legal compliance or public interest reasons. The individual objects despite legitimate grounds for processing is a condition for exercising the right to object, not the right to be forgotten, which allows individuals to oppose the processing of their personal data based on their particular situation or for direct marketing purposes. The individual’s legal residence status has recently changed is not a relevant factor for exercising the right to be forgotten, as it does not affect the necessity or relevance of the data for its original purpose1, p. 107-108 References: 1: CDPSE Review Manual (Digital Version)

Prioritizing privacy-related risk scenarios as part of ERM processes is the best way to ensure that the risk responses meet the organizational objectives, because it helps to align the privacy risk management with the overall strategic goals, values, and culture of the organization. ERM is a holistic approach to identify, assess, and manage risks across the organization, taking into account the interdependencies and trade-offs among different types of risks. By integrating privacy-related risk scenarios into the ERM processes, the organization can evaluate the potential impact and likelihood of privacy risks on its mission, vision, and performance, and prioritize the most significant ones for mitigation or acceptance. This can also help to allocate appropriate resources, assign clear roles and responsibilities, and monitor and report on the effectiveness of the risk responses.

References:

Privacy Risk Management, ISACA Journal

Enterprise Risk Assessment, Deloitte

A legal review is the most important thing to ensure before executive leadership approves a new data privacy policy, as it would help to verify and validate the accuracy, completeness and compliance of the policy with the applicable laws and regulations that govern the collection, use, disclosure and transfer of personal data. A legal review would also help to identify and address any gaps, inconsistencies or conflicts in the policy, and to provide legal advice or guidance on the implementation and enforcement of the policy. The other options are not as important as a legal review in ensuring before executive leadership approves a new data privacy policy. A training program is a method of educating and informing the employees and stakeholders about the new data privacy policy, its objectives, requirements and implications, but it does not ensure the quality or compliance of the policy itself. A privacy committee is a group of individuals who are responsible for overseeing, monitoring and evaluating the organization’s data privacy program, policies and practices, but it does not ensure the quality or compliance of the policy itself. A distribution methodology is a method of disseminating and communicating the new data privacy policy to the employees and stakeholders, such as email, intranet, website or newsletter, but it does not ensure the quality or compliance of the policy itself1, p. 98 References: 1: CDPSE Review Manual (Digital Version)