Which of the following best describes what it means to "Protect" personal information?

The concept of "Protecting" personal information primarily involves implementing safeguards against unauthorized access. This entails establishing measures that prevent individuals or entities without appropriate authorization from obtaining or misusing sensitive data. Such safeguards can include physical security measures, encryption, access control protocols, and other security practices intended to secure personal information from breaches or unauthorized disclosure.

The importance of protection lies in preserving individuals' privacy, maintaining trust, and complying with legal and regulatory frameworks that govern data use. While promoting data sharing, eliminating paper records, and using data for advertising purposes are all related to data management practices, they do not specifically focus on the aspect of protection. These actions may not necessarily safeguard personal information and could potentially expose it to risks of unauthorized access or misuse if not managed carefully. Hence, implementing safeguards is the most precise definition of what it means to "Protect" personal information.