What should an organization focus on when evaluating safeguards around information use?

Focusing on who is accessing information for business needs within the organization is crucial when evaluating safeguards around information use. Access control is a key component of information security, as it ensures that only authorized personnel can view or manipulate sensitive data. By understanding who has access to information, organizations can implement appropriate authentication measures, ensure compliance with privacy regulations, and mitigate potential risks associated with unauthorized access, such as data breaches.

While considerations like how data is stored and archived, the software applications in use, and the frequency of data backups are also important elements of overall data protection strategies, they do not directly address the core issue of access management. Without a clear understanding of who has access to what information, other safeguards may be insufficient, as they do not directly manage or monitor user permissions and behaviors. Therefore, identifying and controlling access is foundational in establishing a secure information environment.