Quick Answer
The answer is Highly Confidential, as this is the ServiceNow data classification level designed specifically for sensitive data like social security numbers and medical information. This classification enforces mandatory encryption both at rest and in transit, combined with strict role-based access controls and comprehensive audit logging, which directly supports compliance with regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA. On the ServiceNow Certified Application Developer CAD exam, this concept tests your understanding of how data classification drives security policies within the platform; a common trap is confusing “Confidential” with “Highly Confidential,” but remember that only the latter triggers automatic encryption and the highest access restrictions. A useful memory tip is to think of “Highly” as meaning “highly protected”—if the data could cause serious harm if exposed, it belongs at this level.
This SNOW-CAD practice question tests your understanding of working with data. 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.
A company is building a ServiceNow application to manage employee onboarding. They need to store personal data like social security numbers (SSNs) and medical information. Which data classification scheme should they apply to these fields to ensure proper encryption and access controls?
Confidential
Why wrong: Confidential is for business-sensitive data, not the highest level.
Internal
Why wrong: Internal is for general internal use without special protection.
Highly Confidential
Correct, this is the highest classification for sensitive personal data.
Public
Why wrong: Public is for non-sensitive data accessible to all.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Highly Confidential
Option C is correct because 'Highly Confidential' is the ServiceNow data classification level designed for sensitive personal data such as social security numbers and medical information. This classification enforces mandatory encryption at rest and in transit, strict role-based access controls, and audit logging, aligning with regulatory requirements like GDPR and HIPAA.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Confidential
Why it's wrong here
Confidential is for business-sensitive data, not the highest level.
Internal
Why it's wrong here
Internal is for general internal use without special protection.
Highly Confidential
Why this is correct
Correct, this is the highest classification for sensitive personal data.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Public
Why it's wrong here
Public is for non-sensitive data accessible to all.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'Confidential' with 'Highly Confidential', assuming that any sensitive data falls under 'Confidential', but ServiceNow reserves 'Highly Confidential' specifically for data requiring the highest security controls, such as PII and PHI.
Detailed technical explanation
In ServiceNow, data classification is enforced through the 'Data Classification' module, which tags fields with a 'sys_classification' attribute. When a field is marked as 'Highly Confidential', the platform automatically applies encryption via the 'Encryption Support' plugin (com.snc.encryption), using AES-256 for data at rest and TLS 1.2+ for data in transit. Additionally, the 'High Security Settings' plugin can restrict access to these fields even for users with elevated roles, ensuring that only explicitly authorized roles (e.g., sys_security_admin) can view or modify the data.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the SNOW-CAD exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
Working with Data — This question tests Working with Data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Highly Confidential — Option C is correct because 'Highly Confidential' is the ServiceNow data classification level designed for sensitive personal data such as social security numbers and medical information. This classification enforces mandatory encryption at rest and in transit, strict role-based access controls, and audit logging, aligning with regulatory requirements like GDPR and HIPAA.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This SNOW-CAD practice question is part of Courseiva's free ServiceNow 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 SNOW-CAD exam.
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