What should be done with sensitive information when it is no longer needed?

When sensitive information is no longer needed, the best practice is to securely delete or destroy it. This approach minimizes the risk of unauthorized access or data breaches, ensuring that sensitive data cannot be retrieved or misused by anyone. Secure deletion methods include overwriting the data multiple times or using software specifically designed for secure data destruction, which makes recovery virtually impossible.

Options that involve storing, archiving, or sharing the sensitive information do not adequately protect it from potential future threats. Storing sensitive data in an online database or archiving it for future reference may leave it vulnerable to breaches or unauthorized access, which contradicts the principle of data minimization. Additionally, sharing it with other departments can inadvertently expose sensitive information to individuals who do not need access, increasing the risk of data loss or compromise.

Therefore, securely deleting or destroying sensitive information is essential to maintaining confidentiality and reducing the risk of data exposure.