Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Practice Exam

The primary purpose of an overt channel is to facilitate authorized communication that aligns with established security policies. This type of channel is designed to transmit information openly and transparently, ensuring that the communication adheres to the organization's guidelines and regulations regarding data handling and access. By utilizing overt channels, organizations can ensure that sensitive information is shared in a manner that is both accountable and secure, allowing for monitoring and logging that is crucial in security efforts.

Authorized communication means that the parties involved in the exchange have the proper clearance and need to access the information being shared. When the communication complies with policy, it ensures that the risks of data breaches or unauthorized access are significantly minimized, as all actions are tracked and regulated according to predefined security protocols.

In contrast, the other options refer to differing concepts: protecting data from unauthorized access relates more to encryption and security controls; covert means of communication pertains to secretive or hidden channels, which can undermine security policy; and redundant communication paths are typically established for reliability rather than compliance or oversight.