An organization has a policy requiring the encryption of personal data if transmitted through email. Which of the following is the BEST control to ensure the effectiveness of this policy?
Correct Answer: B
A data loss prevention (DLP) tool is a software solution that monitors, detects and prevents the unauthorized transmission or leakage of sensitive data, such as personal data, from an organization's network or devices. A DLP tool can help to ensure the effectiveness of a policy requiring the encryption of personal data if transmitted through email, by applying the following controls:
Scanning the content and attachments of outgoing emails for personal data, such as names, email addresses, biometric data, IP addresses, etc.
Blocking or quarantining emails that contain unencrypted personal data, and alerting the sender and/or the administrator of the policy violation.
Encrypting personal data automatically before sending them through email, using encryption standards and algorithms that are compliant with data protection laws and regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Generating audit logs and reports of email activities and incidents involving personal data, and providing visibility and accountability for policy compliance.
The other options are less effective or irrelevant to ensure the effectiveness of the policy. Providing periodic user awareness training on data encryption is a good practice, but it does not guarantee that users will follow the policy or know how to encrypt personal data properly. Conducting regular control self-assessments (CSAs) is a useful method to evaluate the design and operation of the policy, but it does not prevent or detect policy violations in real time. Enforcing annual attestation to policy compliance is a formal way to demonstrate user commitment to the policy, but it does not verify or measure the actual level of compliance.
Reference:
The Complexity Conundrum: Simplifying Data Security - ISACA, section 3: "Data loss prevention (DLP) solutions can help prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information by monitoring network traffic for specific keywords or patterns." Guide to Securing Personal Data in Electronic Medium, section 3.2: "Organisations should consider implementing DLP solutions to prevent unauthorised disclosure of personal data via email." Encryption in the Hands of End Users - ISACA, section 2: "A key goal of encryption is to protect the file even when direct access is possible or the transfer is intercepted."