Question

Using standard procedures developed by information center personnel, staff members download specific subsets of financial and operating data as they need it. The staff members analyze the data on their own personal computers and share results with each other. Over time, the staff members learn to modify the standard procedures to get subsets of financial and operating data that were not accessible through the original procedures. The greatest risk associated with this situation is that_____________

Answer 1

The greatest risk associated with staff members modifying the standard procedures is data integrity issues and potential security vulnerabilities.

Step-by-step explanation:

The greatest risk associated with staff members modifying the standard procedures to access subsets of financial and operating data that were not originally accessible is the potential for data integrity issues. When staff members modify procedures without proper oversight and controls, it increases the risk of errors, inconsistencies, and inaccuracies in the data. This can lead to incorrect analysis and decision-making based on unreliable data.

For example, if a staff member modifies a procedure to retrieve additional data that was not intended to be accessed, it may lead to the inclusion of irrelevant or incorrect data in the analysis. This can result in flawed conclusions and misinformed decisions.

In addition, unauthorized modifications to data access procedures can also create security vulnerabilities. By bypassing established protocols, staff members may unintentionally expose sensitive financial and operating data to unauthorized individuals or increase the risk of data breaches.