Cisco Cyber Security Practice Exam

Which of the following is a common consequence of failing to enforce access control policies?

1. Increased data compliance costs

2. Unauthorized access to sensitive information

3. Improved employee productivity

4. Reduced software licensing fees

The correct answer is: Unauthorized access to sensitive information

Failing to enforce access control policies commonly results in unauthorized access to sensitive information. Access control policies are essential for ensuring that only authorized individuals have the ability to view or manipulate sensitive data. When these policies are not adhered to, it opens the door for individuals, both internal and external, to gain access to data that they should not see or interact with. This can lead to data breaches, theft of intellectual property, and exposure of personal information, which can have significant legal and financial implications for an organization. In contrast, while not enforcing access controls could lead to increased costs or other consequences, those are not as direct as the risk of unauthorized access, which is a clear and immediate threat to data integrity and confidentiality. Improved employee productivity and reduced software licensing fees do not directly relate to access control policies; in fact, a lack of appropriate access control may lead to chaos within teams and eventual inefficiencies.