Information Technology Management Essentials (D075)

Correct answer

A. Mitigation

Explanation

Mitigation refers to the process of taking steps to reduce or eliminate the harmful effects of a security breach. This can include actions like isolating affected systems, patching vulnerabilities, informing stakeholders, and implementing preventive measures to avoid future incidents. The goal of mitigation is to minimize the damage caused by the breach and prevent further exposure. Organizations often have predefined response plans to help mitigate the impact of security incidents effectively.

Why other options are wrong

B. Forensics

Forensics involves the process of investigating and analyzing the breach to understand its cause, trace the source of the attack, and gather evidence. While forensics is essential for understanding what happened during a breach, it is not aimed at directly reducing or eliminating the harmful effects of the breach. Forensics comes after the breach occurs and helps to inform mitigation strategies.

C. Contingency plan

A contingency plan refers to a pre-established strategy for responding to emergencies or unexpected events, including security breaches. While it is crucial for managing crises, a contingency plan is not the direct process of reducing or eliminating harm during a breach. Instead, it provides a framework within which mitigation actions are carried out.

D. Termination

Termination refers to the act of stopping or ending a process, relationship, or contract, such as cutting off access for a compromised account. While termination can be part of a breach response, it is not the process of mitigating the harmful effects of the breach itself. Mitigation focuses on reducing the impact, whereas termination may be a part of the response but not the entire solution.

Correct Answer

A. Software program that serves a particular purpose.

Explanation

Application software refers to programs designed to perform specific tasks for users, such as word processing, data management, or image editing. Unlike system software (like operating systems), application software is focused on enabling users to accomplish particular functions or solve problems. Examples include Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, and Google Chrome, which all serve distinct purposes for individuals or businesses.

Why other options are wrong

B. Software used for security protection of your computer.

Software used for security protection, such as antivirus programs, is generally categorized as system software or utility software, not application software. Application software refers to tools used to complete tasks like creating documents or managing data, not to protect the computer itself.

C. Common software used as open source.

While some application software may be open-source, the definition of application software is not tied to whether it is open-source or proprietary. Application software is simply software designed for a specific function, regardless of its licensing model.

D. Software programs developed for a specific industry.

While some application software is tailored to specific industries, this is not the primary defining feature. Application software can be used across various sectors (e.g., productivity tools, design tools, etc.) and is defined more by its purpose than by its industry-specific design.

Correct Answer

C. A safe place of work

Explanation

The Health and Safety at Work Act requires employers to ensure a safe working environment by identifying and mitigating hazards, providing safety training, and enforcing workplace safety regulations. This law helps prevent workplace injuries and promotes employee well-being.

Why other options are wrong

A. Adequate rest periods.

While rest breaks are essential for employee well-being, they are not a primary requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Rest periods may be regulated under labor laws, but the main focus of the Act is on workplace safety rather than work schedules.

B. Payment for work done.

The Health and Safety at Work Act does not regulate wages or payment for work. Employment contracts and labor laws govern compensation, while the Act focuses on maintaining a safe work environment. Ensuring payment for work is a matter of employment law rather than health and safety regulations.

D. Suitable transport to work.

Employers are not required to provide transport to work under the Health and Safety at Work Act. While some employers may offer transportation benefits, this is not a legal requirement under the Act. The legislation is concerned with safety within the workplace rather than commuting arrangements.

Correct Answer

B. Change passwords, identification numbers, and shut down the system temporarily.

Explanation

The correct response to an electronic security breach involves taking immediate action to minimize further exposure of personal information. Changing passwords and identification numbers ensures that unauthorized access to sensitive data is limited. Shutting down the system temporarily can prevent the breach from spreading further, allowing time to assess the situation and fix the vulnerabilities. These actions help control the situation before taking additional steps like reporting the breach or notifying affected parties.

Why other options are wrong

A. Retrieve hard copies of the breached information.

This option is not relevant to addressing an electronic security breach involving personal information. Retrieving hard copies may not prevent further breaches, especially if the breach is digital in nature. The priority should be controlling access to the system and securing online data, rather than focusing on physical copies that may or may not have been compromised.

C. Notify the media immediately.

Notifying the media prematurely can cause panic and may not be in line with company protocol. It is crucial to first contain the breach and evaluate the scope of the damage before releasing any information to the public. Organizations typically have specific procedures for notifying relevant stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and affected individuals, not the media, until after initial containment and investigation.

D. Ignore the breach and hope for the best.

Ignoring a breach is never an acceptable course of action. Ignoring the issue allows unauthorized access to personal information, which can result in further damage. A breach should always be addressed immediately to protect sensitive data, comply with legal obligations, and maintain organizational security.

Correct Answer

C. Loss of trust and damage to the organization's reputation

Explanation

Failing to protect sensitive information can have severe consequences, including loss of customer and stakeholder trust, legal penalties, financial losses, and reputational damage. A data breach or mishandling of confidential information may lead to negative publicity, regulatory fines, and reduced business opportunities. Organizations must implement robust security measures to safeguard data and maintain credibility.

Why other options are wrong

A. Increased collaboration among employees

This is incorrect because failing to protect sensitive information does not foster collaboration. In fact, security breaches may lead to stricter access controls, limiting communication and collaboration among employees. Data leaks may also create an atmosphere of distrust within the organization.

B. Enhanced reputation and trust from clients

This is false because a breach of sensitive information damages an organization’s reputation rather than enhancing it. Clients expect their data to be protected, and a failure to do so can result in loss of business, legal consequences, and a decline in customer confidence.

D. Improved efficiency in data management

Poor data protection does not improve efficiency; it creates chaos, legal risks, and additional security measures that can slow down operations. Data breaches may lead to expensive recovery processes, loss of productivity, and a need for stricter security policies that could complicate data access and management.

Correct answer

D. Correct or incorrect items are shown immediately after submission.

Explanation

In many online forms, especially those related to quizzes or surveys, the results, such as correct or incorrect answers, are displayed immediately after submission. This allows users to instantly view their performance and receive feedback without having to wait for an email or other follow-up communication.

Why other options are wrong

A. Correct or incorrect items are shown on the next screen after submission.

While this option might seem reasonable, the term "next screen" can be misleading, as feedback typically appears immediately after submission rather than on a subsequent screen. The delay in showing results would be atypical for most forms designed for immediate feedback.

B. Users receive feedback via email immediately after submission.

Email notifications are not always immediate, and many forms do not send results or feedback via email. Immediate feedback is often shown directly on the screen rather than relying on an external notification, making this answer less accurate.

C. The form owner is notified of the user's answers instantly.

While the form owner may be notified, this response is not guaranteed to be instantaneous. The form owner may receive answers through a summary report or email after submission, but this notification doesn't necessarily happen immediately, making this answer less reliable.

Correct answer

C. Data privacy

Explanation

Data privacy refers to the responsible handling of personal and sensitive information, ensuring that it is accessed only by authorized users and used strictly for its intended purpose. It involves compliance with legal regulations, user consent, and ethical considerations to protect individuals' personal data. Organizations must implement policies and safeguards to prevent unauthorized use or sharing of data beyond its original intent.

Why other options are wrong

A. Confidentiality

Confidentiality focuses on restricting access to sensitive information so that only authorized individuals can view or use it. While related to data privacy, confidentiality does not necessarily address how the data is used once accessed.

B. Privacy

Privacy is a broader concept that includes an individual's right to control how their personal information is collected, stored, and shared. Data privacy is a subset of privacy that specifically deals with ensuring data is used only for authorized purposes.

D. Data security

Data security refers to the technical measures taken to protect data from unauthorized access, breaches, or cyber threats. While security plays a crucial role in maintaining data privacy, it primarily focuses on safeguarding data rather than ensuring its appropriate use.

Correct answer

C. Data must only be used for specific purposes and with a legitimate business need.

Explanation

A fundamental principle in data management is that data should only be accessed and used for legitimate business purposes. Organizations must comply with data protection regulations, ensuring that data usage aligns with privacy laws, ethical considerations, and business policies. Proper controls must be in place to prevent misuse, protect sensitive information, and maintain trust.

Why other options are wrong

A. Data should be used for any purpose deemed necessary by the user.

Allowing unrestricted data usage can lead to misuse, security risks, and regulatory violations. Employees should only access data when authorized and for a valid reason.

B. Data can be shared freely without regard to the recipient's need.

Data sharing must be controlled to protect sensitive information. Sharing data without considering the recipient’s role or need can lead to breaches, leaks, and compliance issues.

D. Data should be stored indefinitely without any access restrictions.

Keeping data indefinitely without restrictions increases security risks and violates data retention policies. Organizations must follow regulations that require data to be deleted after a certain period or restricted to authorized personnel.

Correct Answer

C. Central Processing Unit

Explanation

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is responsible for executing most instructions in a computer system. It performs calculations, processes data, and runs applications, making it the core component of a computer’s operation.

Why other options are wrong

A. Operating System.

The operating system (OS) manages hardware and software resources, providing an interface for users and applications. However, it does not execute instructions directly—this function is handled by the CPU.

B. Hard drive.

A hard drive is used for data storage, not for processing instructions. While it plays a critical role in storing programs and files, the CPU is responsible for executing instructions.

D. Motherboard.

The motherboard is a circuit board that connects various components, including the CPU, memory, and storage devices. While it facilitates communication between components, it does not execute instructions itself.