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What key element should an IT security and use policy address?

  1. Staff professional development

  2. Access controls

  3. Internal audit findings

  4. Organizational growth strategies

The correct answer is: Access controls

An IT security and use policy is essential for safeguarding an organization's information systems and ensuring that sensitive data is protected from unauthorized access and threats. One of the key elements that this policy should address is access controls. Access controls determine who is allowed to access specific information systems and data, and under what circumstances. They are vital in protecting confidential data from both internal and external threats and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Access controls involve various mechanisms, including authentication methods (such as passwords, biometric scans, and security tokens), authorization protocols that specify user permissions, and monitoring of user activity to detect any unauthorized attempts to access sensitive information. This aspect of the policy helps to establish a secure environment where only authorized personnel can perform specific actions related to the organization's data and technology resources. In contrast, while staff professional development, internal audit findings, and organizational growth strategies are important components of an organization’s overall strategy or operations, they do not specifically address the security and proper use of IT systems in the same focused manner as access controls do. Thus, for an IT security and use policy to be effective and comprehensive, it must clearly define the access controls necessary to protect the organization's information assets.