CISSP Asset Security Practice Question
During an audit, it is discovered that a database containing personally identifiable information (PII) has been retained for 10 years beyond the regulatory requirement. The data owner has not approved the retention extension. Which data lifecycle principle is primarily being violated?
⚠ Common exam trap
CISSP often tests the distinction between storage limitation (how long you keep data) and data minimization (how much you collect) — candidates conflate the two because both sound like 'less data' principles.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Storage limitation
Storage limitation requires that PII be kept only as long as necessary for the stated purpose or as required by regulation, and then securely deleted. Retaining data 10 years beyond the regulatory requirement, without the data owner's approval for an extension, directly violates this principle. The other principles address collection scope, purpose of use, and accuracy/consistency — not retention duration.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Storage limitation
Why this is correct
Storage limitation mandates that personal data must not be kept for longer than is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or processed. An audit discovering a database retaining data beyond its defined retention period directly indicates a violation of this principle, necessitating the secure deletion or anonymization of such data. This principle is crucial for minimizing the risk associated with data breaches and ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
- ✗
Data minimization
Why it's wrong here
Data minimization is a core privacy principle focused on collecting and processing only the personal data that is absolutely necessary for achieving a specified purpose. It addresses the *scope* of data collected at the outset, ensuring that organizations do not gather superfluous information. This principle is distinct from retention, as it concerns *what* data is acquired, not *how long* legitimately acquired data is stored.
- ✗
Purpose limitation
Why it's wrong here
Purpose limitation dictates that personal data collected for a specific, explicit, and legitimate purpose should not be further processed in a manner incompatible with those purposes. It restricts the *use* of data to its original intent, preventing organizations from repurposing information without proper justification or consent. While related to data lifecycle, this principle does not directly govern the *duration* for which data is retained, only its permissible applications.
- ✗
Integrity
Why it's wrong here
Integrity, in the context of information security, ensures that data is accurate, complete, and protected against unauthorized modification or destruction throughout its lifecycle. It focuses on maintaining the trustworthiness and reliability of information, preventing accidental or malicious alteration. This principle is fundamentally concerned with the quality and security of data content, rather than the policy governing its retention period.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Issues
Key term
Data owner
A senior-level person who is accountable for the classification, protection, and appropriate use of a specific set of data within an organization.
Key term
Regulatory requirement
A regulatory requirement is a rule issued by a government or industry authority that organizations must follow, often to protect data, ensure safety, or maintain fair practices.
About these practice questions
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official ISC2 exam blueprint
This CISSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CISSP exam.