Cisco Cyber Security Practice Exam

Which strategy is often implemented to protect sensitive financial data from unauthorized access?

1. Implementation of firewalls

2. Role-based access control

3. Data backup solutions

4. Virtual Private Networks

The correct answer is: Role-based access control

Role-based access control (RBAC) is an essential strategy employed to safeguard sensitive financial data from unauthorized access. This approach functions by assigning permissions and access rights within the system based on the user’s role within the organization. By establishing clear roles, such as employee, manager, and administrator, organizations can ensure that individuals have access only to the information necessary for their specific duties. This limits exposure to sensitive data and reduces the risk of unauthorized access, thereby enhancing data security. Implementing RBAC not only helps protect sensitive information but also facilitates compliance with regulatory requirements by ensuring that access controls are appropriately enforced. This is particularly important in the financial sector, where protecting personal and financial information is crucial due to regulatory obligations and the potential for significant financial loss or reputational damage. While firewalls, data backup solutions, and virtual private networks are all important components of a comprehensive security strategy, they primarily address different aspects of cybersecurity. Firewalls help in network security by filtering traffic, data backup solutions ensure data recovery during loss events, and virtual private networks provide secure encrypted connections over the internet. However, none of these elements directly manage user access to sensitive financial data in the way that role-based access control does.