What is the outcome of establishing clear data handling procedures?

Establishing clear data handling procedures is essential for ensuring that employees understand the protocols for managing sensitive information, thereby leading to improved compliance with data protection regulations. When these procedures are clearly outlined, they provide a framework that guides employees on how to handle data responsibly, minimizing the risk of data breaches and ensuring adherence to laws such as GDPR or HIPAA. Compliance with data protection regulations is critical for organizations not only to avoid legal repercussions but also to build trust with customers and stakeholders who expect their data to be managed ethically and securely.

In contrast, the other options do not reflect the benefits of having clear data handling procedures. Increased confusion among employees would likely arise from a lack of proper guidelines, while greater data access for all personnel could lead to security vulnerabilities rather than promoting responsible data handling. Minimizing data storage capacity is not a direct outcome of having clear procedures; rather, it may be a separate goal that could be achieved through data governance strategies but is not inherently tied to data handling guidelines.