The answer is limiting the processing of personal data to only what is necessary for the intended purpose. This is correct because data minimization principles under GDPR, specifically Article 5(1)(c), require that personal data be adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary for the purposes for which they are processed. The core technical concept is that organizations must define a specific, lawful purpose before collecting any data and then restrict collection strictly to what serves that purpose, preventing over-collection and reducing privacy risk. On the CISSP exam, this principle tests your understanding of the Privacy domain (Domain 8), often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must identify the correct control to avoid excessive data hoarding. A common trap is confusing data minimization with data retention or anonymization—remember that minimization is about limiting collection at the source, not what you do with data later. A useful memory tip is the "need-to-know" principle: just as you grant access only to what is necessary for a job role, data minimization demands you collect only what is necessary for the stated purpose.
CISSP Asset Security Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of asset security. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO of the following are principles of the data minimization concept under privacy regulations such as GDPR?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Collect only the personal data that is directly relevant and necessary for the specified purpose
Option B is correct because data minimization under GDPR (Article 5(1)(c)) requires that personal data collected be 'adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed.' This principle directly mandates collecting only the data that is directly relevant and necessary for the specified purpose, preventing over-collection and reducing privacy risk.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Ensure personal data is accurate and kept up to date
Why it's wrong here
Accuracy is a separate principle.
✓
Collect only the personal data that is directly relevant and necessary for the specified purpose
Why this is correct
This is the core of data minimization.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Store personal data for as long as possible for future analysis
Why it's wrong here
Storage limitation says keep no longer than necessary.
✓
Limit the processing of personal data to only what is necessary for the intended purpose
Why this is correct
Processing must be limited to what is necessary.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Provide individuals with access to their data upon request
Why it's wrong here
Right of access is a different principle.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
ISC2 often tests the distinction between the seven GDPR principles (lawfulness, fairness, transparency; purpose limitation; data minimization; accuracy; storage limitation; integrity and confidentiality; accountability) and the data subject rights (access, rectification, erasure, etc.), so candidates mistakenly select a right like access as a minimization principle.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, data minimization is enforced through design requirements such as pseudonymization and data deletion schedules. For example, a web application collecting only the user's email address for account creation (rather than full name, phone, and address) is a practical implementation. In a real-world scenario, a healthcare app that collects only the minimum diagnostic data needed for a specific study, rather than a full medical history, complies with minimization and reduces breach impact.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Asset Security — This question tests Asset Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Collect only the personal data that is directly relevant and necessary for the specified purpose — Option B is correct because data minimization under GDPR (Article 5(1)(c)) requires that personal data collected be 'adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which they are processed.' This principle directly mandates collecting only the data that is directly relevant and necessary for the specified purpose, preventing over-collection and reducing privacy risk.
What should I do if I get this CISSP question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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