Which of the following describes a consequence of not having a proper security policy?

Not having a proper security policy significantly increases the risk of data breaches. A security policy is a formal set of guidelines and rules that govern how an organization's data and IT systems should be managed to protect against unauthorized access and breaches. Without clear policies, employees may not be aware of the best practices for safeguarding sensitive information, leading to careless handling of data and security vulnerabilities.

Moreover, in the absence of a structured approach to security, organizations might overlook critical security measures, such as access controls, encryption, and incident response protocols. This lack of preparedness makes it easier for cybercriminals to exploit weaknesses, potentially resulting in unauthorized access to sensitive information, data loss, and financial repercussions.

In contrast, increased employee satisfaction, improved system performance, and more efficient project management are not directly tied to the presence or absence of a security policy. In fact, without a robust security framework, overall organizational morale and trust could suffer if employees feel that their data and work environment are insecure. Thus, the consequences of neglecting security policies are largely negative, with an elevated risk of data breaches being a primary concern.