Question
You are the IT Security Manager at a healthcare organization. The organization frequently uses removable media devices like USB drives to transfer patient data between different departments.
Given the sensitive nature of the data, you are tasked with ensuring the data remains secure during transfer.
What is the MOST effective way to achieve this?
answer
Encrypt the data on the removable media devices.
Implement a strict password policy for all users who will have access to the data.
Install the latest antivirus software on all computers that will be used to transfer the data.
Regularly update the operating systems and all installed applications on the computers that will be used to transfer the data.
Given the sensitive nature of the data, you are tasked with ensuring the data remains secure during transfer.
What is the MOST effective way to achieve this?
answer
Encrypt the data on the removable media devices.
Implement a strict password policy for all users who will have access to the data.
Install the latest antivirus software on all computers that will be used to transfer the data.
Regularly update the operating systems and all installed applications on the computers that will be used to transfer the data.
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
The MOST effective way to ensure that patient data remains secure during transfer on removable media devices is to **encrypt the data on the removable media devices**.
Here’s why this is the best choice:
- **Data Protection**: Encryption protects the data itself. Even if the USB drive is lost or stolen, the data remains secure as long as the encryption key is not compromised.
- **Compliance**: In the healthcare sector, there are strict regulations regarding the protection of patient data (e.g., HIPAA in the U.S.). Encrypting sensitive data helps organizations remain compliant with these regulations.
- **Mitigation of Risk**: While implementing a strict password policy, antivirus software, and regular system updates are all important aspects of a comprehensive security strategy, they do not directly protect the data on the removable devices. If the device falls into the wrong hands, encryption acts as a safety net.
Therefore, ensuring that any sensitive data transferred via removable media is encrypted provides the highest level of assurance against unauthorized access.
Here’s why this is the best choice:
- **Data Protection**: Encryption protects the data itself. Even if the USB drive is lost or stolen, the data remains secure as long as the encryption key is not compromised.
- **Compliance**: In the healthcare sector, there are strict regulations regarding the protection of patient data (e.g., HIPAA in the U.S.). Encrypting sensitive data helps organizations remain compliant with these regulations.
- **Mitigation of Risk**: While implementing a strict password policy, antivirus software, and regular system updates are all important aspects of a comprehensive security strategy, they do not directly protect the data on the removable devices. If the device falls into the wrong hands, encryption acts as a safety net.
Therefore, ensuring that any sensitive data transferred via removable media is encrypted provides the highest level of assurance against unauthorized access.