Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) Practice Exam

Which of the following is an acceptable method for destroying data obtained from the ACJIS/NCIC network?

1. Transferring to public domain

2. Shredding or burning

3. Storing in a cloud service

4. Deleting from all devices

The correct answer is: Shredding or burning

Shredding or burning is considered an acceptable method for destroying data obtained from the ACJIS/NCIC network because it ensures that physical records are rendered completely unreadable and unrecoverable. This process effectively eliminates the information, safeguarding against unauthorized retrieval or misuse of sensitive data. Physical destruction methods like shredding or burning are recognized for their effectiveness in protecting confidential information, aligning with best practices for information security. In contrast, transferring data to the public domain does not ensure the data's destruction and poses significant risks of data exposure. Storing data in a cloud service lacks control over the security measures used and does not guarantee elimination of the data. While deleting from all devices may seem like a sound approach, it is not foolproof, as data recovery tools may still be able to retrieve deleted information if it has not been properly wiped. Hence, physical destruction stands out as the most secure method for ensuring complete data destruction.