CIPT (Certified Information Privacy Technologist) Practice

Which of the following describes a potential consequence of poor data integrity?

1. Increased user trust in the system

2. Higher operational costs due to data errors

3. Enhanced disease prevention measures

4. More efficient data processing

The correct answer is: Higher operational costs due to data errors

The choice indicating that higher operational costs due to data errors is a potential consequence of poor data integrity accurately reflects the impacts that result from inaccurate or corrupt data within an organization's systems. Poor data integrity can lead to numerous inaccuracies in reporting, decision-making, and processes, which necessitates additional resources to identify, correct, and mitigate the resulting issues. These operational inefficiencies manifest in both time and financial expenditures, ultimately raising the overall costs of business operations. For example, organizations may face costs associated with customer service inquiries, compliance issues, and rectifying data entry mistakes, among others. In contrast, the other options suggest outcomes that are typically not associated with poor data integrity. Increased user trust, for instance, is more likely to occur when data integrity is high, as users rely on accurate information. Enhanced disease prevention measures and more efficient data processing are also outcomes that are generally tied to accurate, reliable data. Therefore, option B best captures the adverse impacts that arise from inadequate data integrity.