Which elements address data integrity in electronic systems under CBM T6?

• A. Unrestricted access with no audits
• B. Manual data entry without backups
• C. Requires validated systems, access controls, audit trails, data backups, and formal change control
• D. Data integrity is optional for electronic systems

Answer: (C)

In electronic systems, keeping data accurate, complete, and trustworthy requires a layered set of controls that govern how data are created, stored, and changed. In CBM T6, data integrity is addressed by combining system validation with strict controls around who can interact with data and how those interactions are recorded and managed.

Validated systems ensure the software and hardware perform as intended in the actual environment, reducing the chance of defects that could corrupt data. Access controls limit who can create, modify, or delete data, enforcing authorization and the principle of least privilege so only qualified individuals can alter information. Audit trails provide a traceable record of all data changes, including who made the change and when, which is essential for accountability and detecting unauthorized activity. Data backups protect against data loss or corruption by preserving recoverable copies, enabling restoration to a known good state. Formal change control governs all modifications to systems and data handling processes, ensuring changes are evaluated, tested, approved, and documented before they are put into production.

The other options fail because unrestricted access with no audits allows undetected alterations; manual data entry without backups introduces errors and risks losing data; and treating data integrity as optional is incompatible with the rigorous safeguards required for reliable electronic data.