True or False: Emma, a certified agent, leaves consumer documents containing PII and PHI in a folder on her desk. She is effectively protecting that information.

The assertion that Emma is effectively protecting consumer documents containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and Protected Health Information (PHI) by leaving them in a folder on her desk is false. Effective protection of sensitive information requires that it be secured from unauthorized access, which is not achieved merely by placing documents in a folder on an open desk.

When documents containing PII and PHI are left unattended on a desk, they are at risk of being accessed by individuals who should not have access to that information, including colleagues, janitorial staff, or visitors. This lack of physical security can lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive personal data.

In a professional environment, there should be policies and procedures in place to safeguard confidential information, especially when it pertains to health or personal data. Such measures typically include securely storing information in locked cabinets, using secure digital storage solutions, and ensuring that sensitive documents are not left in accessible areas where they might be seen or accessed by unauthorized individuals.

Thus, the correct response to the question is that Emma is not effectively protecting that information, as leaving it on her desk does not meet the necessary standards of confidentiality and security.