Best Practices for Protecting Data on Smart Phones | CompTIA Security+ Exam SY0-601

Preventing Access to Sensitive Data on Lost or Stolen Smart Phones | CompTIA Security+

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Question

An administrator has concerns regarding the traveling sales team who works primarily from smart phones.

Given the sensitive nature of their work, which of the following would BEST prevent access to the data in case of loss or theft?

Answers

Explanations

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A. B. C. D.

B.

The best option for preventing access to sensitive data in case of loss or theft of a smart phone is to configure the phones so that the stored data can be destroyed from a centralized location. This can be done using mobile device management (MDM) software which allows an administrator to remotely wipe the device, erasing all data and returning it to its original factory state. This ensures that any sensitive data on the device cannot be accessed by unauthorized individuals.

Option A, enabling screensaver locks, only prevents unauthorized access to the device while it is not in use, but does not protect against theft or loss of the device.

Option C, saving data to removable media and keeping it separate from the device, may be a good practice for backups, but it is not a practical solution for everyday use since it would require constant manual transfers of data between the device and the removable media.

Option D, enabling GPS tracking, can help locate a lost or stolen device, but it does not prevent access to the sensitive data on the device. It is also worth noting that GPS tracking may not always be reliable or effective in all situations, such as when the device is turned off or in an area with poor signal reception.

In conclusion, option B, configuring the smart phones so that the stored data can be destroyed from a centralized location, is the best solution for preventing access to sensitive data in case of loss or theft of the device.