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?
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
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Storage limitation
Storage limitation requires that data be retained only as long as necessary; exceeding the retention period violates this principle.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Asset Security: Privacy and Data Retention
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.
Key term
Audit
An audit is a systematic, independent review of IT systems, processes, and controls to verify compliance with policies, standards, and regulations.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.