Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Analyst Practice Test

The practice of following established disposal protocols is essential for securely disposing of physical media containing cardholder data. Established disposal protocols typically include specific procedures for shredding, degaussing, or incinerating the media in a way that ensures the data cannot be reconstructed or retrieved. These protocols are designed to comply with regulatory standards and best practices in data protection, such as those outlined in standards like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

Adhering to these protocols reduces the risk of data breaches and protects sensitive information from being misused. Merely recycling the media does not guarantee that the data will be irretrievably destroyed, and storing it indefinitely or securing it without proper disposal can lead to potential vulnerabilities if the media is ever accessed or compromised. Therefore, following established disposal protocols is the most effective method to ensure the safe and compliant destruction of cardholder data on physical media.