Question 1: Define the term 'data protection' and explain why it is important in computing.

Answer: Data protection involves safeguarding personal and sensitive information from misuse, loss, or theft. It is important to protect individuals' privacy and ensure data is used ethically and legally.

Question 2: Imagine a social media company collects user data such as names and locations. What ethical issues might arise if this data is shared without users' permission?

Answer: Sharing user data without permission can violate privacy rights, lead to misuse of information, cause loss of trust, and potentially result in harm to individuals.

Question 3: Name two laws or regulations in the UK that relate to data protection.

Answer: The Data Protection Act 2018 and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

Question 4: Describe a situation where a company might accidentally lose customer data. What ethical responsibility do they have in this case?

Answer: If a company’s server crashes and customer data is lost, they have an ethical responsibility to inform affected customers, protect remaining data, and take steps to prevent future loss.

Question 5: Complete the truth table for the AND logic gate below: (Inputs: A, B; Output: Q)

Answer: A | B | Q 0 | 0 | 0 0 | 1 | 0 1 | 0 | 0 1 | 1 | 1

Question 6: Draw a logic circuit for an OR gate. Label the inputs and output clearly.

Answer: A correct sketch would show a standard OR gate symbol with two inputs labeled A and B entering the gate and one output labeled Q.

Question 7: Explain why it is important for companies to keep customer data secure.

Answer: Keeping customer data secure prevents unauthorized access, protects privacy, maintains trust, and complies with legal requirements.

Question 8: Describe what a data breach is and give one example of how it could happen.

Answer: A data breach is when sensitive information is accessed or stolen without permission. It could happen if hackers exploit security weaknesses or if employees accidentally share data.

Question 9: Sketch a simple process flow diagram showing how a company should respond if they discover a data breach.

Answer: A correct sketch would include steps such as: detect breach → contain breach → inform affected users → investigate cause → improve security measures.

Question 10: What are the ethical responsibilities of a computer scientist when handling user data?

Answer: They should ensure data is collected legally, stored securely, only used for intended purposes, and not shared without permission.