What should happen to sensitive information when no longer needed?

When sensitive information is no longer needed, the best practice is to securely delete or encrypt it. This approach ensures that the information cannot be easily accessed or reconstructed by unauthorized individuals, thereby mitigating the risk of data breaches or misuse.

Secure deletion methods involve removing the data in such a way that it cannot be recovered. This can include overwriting the data on storage devices multiple times or utilizing software designed to securely wipe data. Encryption can also serve as a safeguard, ensuring that even if the data is unintentionally accessed, it remains unreadable without the correct decryption key.

Other methods, such as simply archiving data or leaving it accessible, create potential vulnerabilities. Archiving often means that sensitive information is retained in a less active state but can still be retrieved easily, which poses risks if the archive is not adequately secured. Leaving information accessible or unprotected directly invites unauthorized access and increases the likelihood of data breaches, both of which are significant concerns in data security. Therefore, securely deleting or encrypting information when it's no longer necessary is a critical step in maintaining information security and protecting sensitive data.