SANS Assessment of Student Learning Plan (ASLP) Security Awareness Training

What is the best practice for managing third-party access to sensitive data?

1. Allowing access without restrictions

2. Regular audits of access rights

3. Only providing access to trusted partners

4. Periodic review of third-party terms

The correct answer is: Regular audits of access rights

Regular audits of access rights are essential for managing third-party access to sensitive data effectively. This practice ensures that only necessary personnel have access to sensitive information, which helps mitigate risks associated with data breaches and unauthorized access. By conducting these audits, organizations can identify who has access to what data and verify that those access rights are appropriate based on the current role and relationship with the third party. It allows for timely updates to access controls, ensuring that if a third-party relationship changes or ends, access can be revoked promptly. This approach also helps in maintaining compliance with various regulations and standards that govern data protection, as many of these frameworks require rigorous control and monitoring of data access. In contrast, simply allowing access without restrictions poses significant risks and could lead to misuse of sensitive data. While providing access only to trusted partners seems prudent, it does not account for the potential need for ongoing monitoring and adjustment of access rights as partnerships evolve. Periodic review of third-party terms, while important, doesn’t directly address the need for an ongoing evaluation of who can access sensitive data and under what conditions. Regular audits provide a proactive means to safeguard data integrity and confidentiality.