CompTIA CASP+ Practice Test

What is the best action to take if an executive loses a smartphone containing proprietary data?

1. Change all passwords immediately

2. Notify the authorities

3. Remotely wipe all data from the device

4. Encrypt the data on the smartphone

The correct answer is: Remotely wipe all data from the device

The best course of action, in this case, is to remotely wipe all data from the device. This approach directly addresses the security breach caused by the loss of the smartphone, ensuring that all proprietary data that could potentially be accessed by unauthorized individuals is rendered inaccessible. The ability to remotely wipe data is a critical feature of mobile device management (MDM) systems, allowing organizations to protect sensitive information even after a device has been lost. While changing all passwords is a positive security measure, it does not mitigate the immediate risk associated with the lost device itself. Notifying authorities can be important, especially if required by policy or law, but it does not protect the data that is currently at risk. Encrypting the data on the smartphone is a preventative measure that should have been implemented prior to the loss; however, it does not provide a solution after the fact when the device is already missing. The emphasis on taking immediate action to secure the data makes the remote wipe the most suitable choice in this scenario.