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What is primarily focused on in the Information Asset Security domain?
What is primarily focused on in the Information Asset Security domain?
How does a company demonstrate due care in its information security practices?
How does a company demonstrate due care in its information security practices?
What does due diligence entail in the context of information security?
What does due diligence entail in the context of information security?
Which of the following best describes the role of Application Service Providers (ASPs)?
Which of the following best describes the role of Application Service Providers (ASPs)?
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Which of the following actions would NOT typically be considered due care?
Which of the following actions would NOT typically be considered due care?
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Which statement best characterizes the difference between due care and due diligence?
Which statement best characterizes the difference between due care and due diligence?
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Which of the following components is essential for providing secure processing of information?
Which of the following components is essential for providing secure processing of information?
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What is the primary goal of classifying information in the context of information asset security?
What is the primary goal of classifying information in the context of information asset security?
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Which classification level is applied when unauthorized disclosure could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security?
Which classification level is applied when unauthorized disclosure could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security?
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What is a key characteristic of commercial classification systems compared to government systems?
What is a key characteristic of commercial classification systems compared to government systems?
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What is the purpose of labeling sensitive information?
What is the purpose of labeling sensitive information?
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Which step comes first in the information classification procedure?
Which step comes first in the information classification procedure?
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Which classification level can be typically distributed to the public without any threat to national interest?
Which classification level can be typically distributed to the public without any threat to national interest?
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What is an example of Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?
What is an example of Personally Identifiable Information (PII)?
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What type of data does the term 'data at rest' refer to?
What type of data does the term 'data at rest' refer to?
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Which security control method is essential for storing sensitive data to prevent data breaches?
Which security control method is essential for storing sensitive data to prevent data breaches?
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What should organizations define in their security or data policy regarding sensitive data?
What should organizations define in their security or data policy regarding sensitive data?
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Which classification system is less complex and chosen based on a company’s culture?
Which classification system is less complex and chosen based on a company’s culture?
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What is classified as 'Confidential' information?
What is classified as 'Confidential' information?
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What classification refers to data that is maintained to help an organization keep its competitive edge?
What classification refers to data that is maintained to help an organization keep its competitive edge?
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Which of the following is typically NOT a criterion used for classifying information?
Which of the following is typically NOT a criterion used for classifying information?
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What is meant by 'data in transit'?
What is meant by 'data in transit'?
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What is the primary purpose of performing the degaussing process on magnetic media?
What is the primary purpose of performing the degaussing process on magnetic media?
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Which sanitization method is characterized as the most secure form for handling sensitive data?
Which sanitization method is characterized as the most secure form for handling sensitive data?
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What is the role of an information custodian within an organization according to the responsibilities outlined?
What is the role of an information custodian within an organization according to the responsibilities outlined?
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Under what condition is the principle of record retention particularly important?
Under what condition is the principle of record retention particularly important?
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According to NIST SP 80018, which responsibility is not typically assigned to the data owner?
According to NIST SP 80018, which responsibility is not typically assigned to the data owner?
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What process is described as preparing media for reuse while ensuring that cleared data cannot be recovered?
What process is described as preparing media for reuse while ensuring that cleared data cannot be recovered?
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What is the function of an information steward within the framework of data management?
What is the function of an information steward within the framework of data management?
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Which of the following best describes data remanence?
Which of the following best describes data remanence?
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Which legal framework imposes guidelines for the collection and processing of personal data for EU residents?
Which legal framework imposes guidelines for the collection and processing of personal data for EU residents?
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What is a key feature of the purging process in data sanitization?
What is a key feature of the purging process in data sanitization?
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Who is primarily responsible for the classification and labeling of organizational data?
Who is primarily responsible for the classification and labeling of organizational data?
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Which of the following is NOT categorized as a media sanitization method?
Which of the following is NOT categorized as a media sanitization method?
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What aspect defines the ultimate responsibility of a data owner in an organization?
What aspect defines the ultimate responsibility of a data owner in an organization?
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Which activity should be part of an asset owner's responsibilities according to NIST SP 80018?
Which activity should be part of an asset owner's responsibilities according to NIST SP 80018?
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Due care refers to a thorough investigation of potential risks and vulnerabilities.
Due care refers to a thorough investigation of potential risks and vulnerabilities.
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Application Service Providers (ASPs) are a way to outsource applications to avoid internal management.
Application Service Providers (ASPs) are a way to outsource applications to avoid internal management.
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Classifying information based on its value is a primary step in information asset security.
Classifying information based on its value is a primary step in information asset security.
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Due diligence includes following standard practices to protect sensitive information.
Due diligence includes following standard practices to protect sensitive information.
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A comprehensive security audit before an acquisition is an example of due diligence.
A comprehensive security audit before an acquisition is an example of due diligence.
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Implementing strong passwords is considered an example of due diligence in an organization's security policy.
Implementing strong passwords is considered an example of due diligence in an organization's security policy.
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Information Asset Security is solely focused on protecting data in its storage state.
Information Asset Security is solely focused on protecting data in its storage state.
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Due care requires a detailed assessment of security policies and incident reports.
Due care requires a detailed assessment of security policies and incident reports.
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The classification level 'Secret' is assigned to information whose unauthorized disclosure could cause minor damage to national security.
The classification level 'Secret' is assigned to information whose unauthorized disclosure could cause minor damage to national security.
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Data at rest refers to any data that is transmitted over a network.
Data at rest refers to any data that is transmitted over a network.
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Encryption using AES 256 is considered a strong method for protecting sensitive data.
Encryption using AES 256 is considered a strong method for protecting sensitive data.
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Unclassified information can be distributed to the public without any risk to national interests.
Unclassified information can be distributed to the public without any risk to national interests.
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Commercial classification systems typically follow strict government-imposed guidelines.
Commercial classification systems typically follow strict government-imposed guidelines.
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The declassification of information should only occur when deemed necessary and appropriate.
The declassification of information should only occur when deemed necessary and appropriate.
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Confidential information is categorized as causing no damage to national security if disclosed.
Confidential information is categorized as causing no damage to national security if disclosed.
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Marking sensitive information does not involve labeling or indicating its classification level.
Marking sensitive information does not involve labeling or indicating its classification level.
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Data in use refers to data that is temporarily stored in memory while an application processes it.
Data in use refers to data that is temporarily stored in memory while an application processes it.
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Government and military classification systems are generally more complex than commercial systems.
Government and military classification systems are generally more complex than commercial systems.
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The first step in the information classification procedure is to label the information and information system.
The first step in the information classification procedure is to label the information and information system.
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Proprietary data refers to information with no intrinsic value to the organization.
Proprietary data refers to information with no intrinsic value to the organization.
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Sensitive data should always be stored without any protective measures to prevent data loss.
Sensitive data should always be stored without any protective measures to prevent data loss.
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The criticality of an information system is not an important factor in the information classification procedure.
The criticality of an information system is not an important factor in the information classification procedure.
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Clearing is the process of thoroughly erasing data to prevent any chance of recovery.
Clearing is the process of thoroughly erasing data to prevent any chance of recovery.
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Data remanence refers to data that has been completely overwritten and is no longer accessible.
Data remanence refers to data that has been completely overwritten and is no longer accessible.
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Degaussers are effective in removing data from Solid State Drives (SSDs).
Degaussers are effective in removing data from Solid State Drives (SSDs).
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The Chinese Government Data Protection Regulation requires organizations to retain sensitive data for a minimum of three years.
The Chinese Government Data Protection Regulation requires organizations to retain sensitive data for a minimum of three years.
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The destruction of data is considered the final stage in the lifecycle of media for sensitive data sanitization.
The destruction of data is considered the final stage in the lifecycle of media for sensitive data sanitization.
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The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) does not bear accountability for organizational data protection.
The Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) does not bear accountability for organizational data protection.
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An information custodian is solely responsible for the technical implementation of security controls.
An information custodian is solely responsible for the technical implementation of security controls.
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Record retention does not involve destroying information when it is no longer needed.
Record retention does not involve destroying information when it is no longer needed.
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The role of a business/mission owner includes the responsibility to ensure that systems provide value to the organization.
The role of a business/mission owner includes the responsibility to ensure that systems provide value to the organization.
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Information users are responsible for classifying and labeling data within an organization.
Information users are responsible for classifying and labeling data within an organization.
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Purging data involves multiple overwrites or degaussing to prepare the media for reuse in less secure environments.
Purging data involves multiple overwrites or degaussing to prepare the media for reuse in less secure environments.
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The data owner is typically the person with ultimate organizational responsibility for data.
The data owner is typically the person with ultimate organizational responsibility for data.
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Information custodians have no role in the assessment of common security controls.
Information custodians have no role in the assessment of common security controls.
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Erasing media is synonymous with permanently destroying all traces of sensitive data.
Erasing media is synonymous with permanently destroying all traces of sensitive data.
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The responsibilities of an information owner are clearly defined in NIST SP 800-18.
The responsibilities of an information owner are clearly defined in NIST SP 800-18.
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Study Notes
Information Asset Security
- Information assets are valuable to any organization.
- Organizations use information to fulfill their mission or goal.
- The information asset security domain is the collection, handling, and protection of information throughout its lifecycle.
- Information classification is a primary step in information asset security. It categorizes information by its sensitivity to disclosure.
Information Classification
- Classification systems are labels that assign a sensitivity level to information.
- Commercial classification systems can be less complex than government systems, and are often customized to fit the business's specific needs.
- Common criteria to consider when classifying information include:
- Whether the information is not public knowledge or public domain.
- Information that has specific value to the organization.
- Information that needs to be protected from unauthorized access.
- Information subject to government regulations.
Data States
- Data can exist in three states: at rest, in transit, and in use.
- Data at rest is stored on devices or media.
- Data in transit is data transmitted over a network.
- Data in use is data actively being processed by an application.
Sensitive Information Handling
- A Data Breach is an unauthorized entity's access to classified data.
- Marking sensitive information helps users identify its classification level.
- Storing sensitive data requires strong encryption, such as AES 256, to prevent unauthorized access.
- Environmental controls, such as temperature and humidity controls, are essential to protect sensitive information.
Destroying Sensitive Data
- A Degausser uses magnetic fields to remove data remanence from magnetic storage media.
- Degaussing is not effective for SSDs.
- Multiple methods exist to sanitize media, including:
- Erasing – simply deleting the data using a command.
- Clearing – overwrites the data to prevent recovery using common tools.
- Purging – a more intense form of clearing.
- Destruction – complete elimination of the media.
- Declassification – preparing media for reuse in an unclassified environment.
Record Retention
- Record retention involves keeping and maintaining important information as long as necessary.
- Proper record retention is crucial for asset retention.
- Legal and regulatory frameworks often dictate how long organizations must keep data, including specific periods like three years, seven years, or indefinitely.
- The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to organizations with European visitors, regardless of location.
Ownership and Accountability
- It is critical to define ownership and accountability for information and assets.
- Clear roles and responsibilities ensure that personnel understand who is accountable for protecting data.
- Information ownership roles include:
- CISO: accountable for overall data protection.
- Information owner: responsible for their information and security policies.
- Information Custodian: oversees technical security controls.
- Information steward: responsible for data analytics and business process support.
- Information user: accountable for following data classification guidelines.
Data Owner Responsibilities
- The data owner is responsible for:
- Identifying data classifications and ensuring it is appropriately labeled.
- Implementing security controls based on the data classification and security policy.
System Owner Responsibilities
- The system owner, or asset owner, is accountable for systems that process sensitive data. They are responsible for:
- Creating a system security plan.
- Maintaining the security plan and ensuring systems operate according to requirements.
- Providing security training to system users and support personnel.
- Updating security plans when necessary.
Business/Mission Owner Responsibilities
- The business/mission owner is accountable for ensuring systems provide value to the organization.
- This role is viewed differently between organizations, and responsibilities can overlap with system owner responsibilities.
Information Asset Security
- Organizations utilize information assets to accomplish their mission or goal.
- Information Asset Security focuses on protecting information throughout its lifecycle.
- Classifying information based on its value to the organization is a crucial step in information asset security.
Protecting Information Assets
- Protecting information assets involves both hardware and software security measures.
- Application Service Providers (ASPs) offer a way to outsource applications, avoiding internal hosting and management.
- Carefully evaluating ASPs for data protection safeguards is essential.
Due Care vs. Due Diligence
- Due Care involves reasonable steps to ensure safety and mitigate risks, adhering to standard practices.
- Due Diligence goes beyond standard practices and involves a thorough investigation of potential risks and vulnerabilities.
Information Classification
- Information classification organizes information assets by their sensitivity to disclosure.
- Classification systems use labels to identify sensitivity levels.
- A nine-step information classification procedure defines the process.
Government & Military Classification Systems
- The government and military use four classification levels: Top Secret, Secret, Confidential, and Unclassified.
- Unauthorized disclosure of classified information can result in severe consequences.
Commercial Classification Systems
- Commercial organizations often create their own classification systems tailored to their needs.
- Commercial classification systems are typically less complex than government systems.
- The complexity of classification systems often increases with regulatory requirements.
Examples of Restricted Data
- Personally Identifiable Information (PII) can be used to identify an individual.
- Protected Health Information (PHI) relates to a specific person's health.
- Proprietary data helps an organization maintain a competitive edge.
Data States
- Data at Rest refers to data stored on various media.
- Data in Transit refers to data transmitted over a network.
- Data in Use is data being processed by an application.
Handling Sensitive Data
- Preventing data breaches is a primary goal in sensitive data management.
- Marking sensitive data helps users identify classification levels.
- Encryption, environmental controls, and secure storage devices can protect data.
Destroying Sensitive Data
- Organizational policies should define data destruction methods based on classification.
- Sanitization methods such as clearing, purging, and destroying ensure data recovery is impossible.
Eliminating Data Remanence
- Data remanence is residual data that persists even after erasure.
- Degaussing can remove data remanence from magnetic media.
Ensuring Appropriate Asset Retention
- Record retention is crucial for maintaining essential information and destroying it when no longer needed.
- Regulations often dictate data retention periods.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
- GDPR governs the collection and processing of personal information in the EU.
- Websites attracting European visitors must comply with GDPR, regardless of location.
Asset Ownership
- The CISO is accountable for organizational data protection.
- The information owner is responsible for their information and applying security policies.
- The information custodian implements technical controls to protect assets.
- The information steward ensures information supports business processes.
- The information user is responsible for using information according to its classification.
Determining Ownership
- Many people within an organization handle data and have specific responsibilities.
- Clearly defined ownership ensures personnel understand who is responsible for protecting information and assets.
Data Owners
- The data owner has ultimate responsibility for data within the organization.
- Data owners establish rules for data use and protection.
- Data owners identify and assess security controls for information systems.
Asset Owners
- The asset owner is responsible for assets or systems processing sensitive data.
- Asset owners develop and maintain system security plans, ensuring compliance with security requirements.
Business/Mission Owners
- The business/mission owner role varies between organizations.
- In businesses, business owners ensure systems provide value to the organization.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of information asset security, including its significance to organizations and the lifecycle of information handling. Understand the intricacies of information classification systems and the criteria they entail for sensitivity levels. This quiz will enhance your knowledge of protecting valuable information assets.
