CACs - Certified Application Counselor Privacy and Security Standards Questions and Answers

Question 1

A CAC is assisting a consumer at a busy enrollment event in a public space. The CAC needs to step away from their laptop for a moment to retrieve a form. What is the most important security action the CAC must take before leaving the computer?

Accepted Answer

Lock the computer screen.

Answer

Locking the computer screen is a fundamental security practice that prevents unauthorized access to any information on the computer. This ensures that even in a brief absence, no one can view or interact with sensitive consumer PII. While closing the browser is good, it doesn't protect other information on the computer, and the other options are not secure measures.

Question 2

According to federal standards for protecting consumer Personally Identifiable Information (PII), which of the following is an approved method for destroying paper documents containing sensitive PII?

Accepted Answer

Using a cross-cut shredder to render the information unreconstructible.

Answer

Federal standards, such as those from NIST, require that PII be rendered unreadable, indecipherable, and unreconstructible. Cross-cut shredding, pulverizing, or incinerating are methods that meet this standard. The other methods are insufficient as they could allow a determined individual to reconstruct the sensitive information.

Question 3

Which of the following is a critical element that must be included in a consumer's written consent form before a CAC can access and use their PII?

Accepted Answer

The timeframe during which the consent is valid.

Answer

A valid consent agreement must specify the period during which the authorization is effective, and it must also allow the consumer to revoke the consent at any time. This ensures the consumer has control over their information. Using PII for marketing is prohibited, and while other details might be on the form, the timeframe of consent is a required component.

Question 4

A CAC receives an email that appears to be from the Health Insurance Marketplace, asking them to click a link and "verify their account credentials immediately" to avoid deactivation. The email uses a generic greeting. What is the most appropriate action for the CAC to take?

Accepted Answer

Do not click the link, and report the email as a potential phishing attempt according to their organization's policy.

Answer

This scenario describes a common phishing attack, which uses deceptive emails to trick people into divulging sensitive information. Red flags include urgent language, generic greetings, and requests for login credentials. The proper response is to not engage with the email and report it through the correct channels.

Question 5

When assisting consumers, a CAC is responsible for safeguarding their Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Which of the following is the BEST example of PII that must be protected?

Accepted Answer

The consumer's name combined with their Social Security Number.

Answer

Personally Identifiable Information (PII) is any information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity. A name combined with a Social Security Number is a primary example of sensitive PII that requires the highest level of protection. The other options are either opinions, public information, or anonymized data.

(CACs) Certified Application Counselor Practice Test

(CACs) Certified Application Counselor Practice Test

CACs - Certified Application Counselor Privacy and Security Standards Questions and Answers