What should you do if you leave your computer to go to another area?

When leaving your computer to go to another area, it's crucial to prioritize the security and integrity of the information on your device. By logging off or locking the computer and removing your PIV card, you effectively prevent unauthorized access to your system. This action ensures that any sensitive data remains secure and minimizes the risk of breaches or misuse while you're away. Locking the computer also helps maintain compliance with security policies that are designed to protect personal and organizational information, particularly in environments dealing with sensitive data, such as Veterans Affairs.

Other options, such as shutting down the computer and leaving it unattended, while seemingly cautious, still leave the system vulnerable if there is no secure setup for unattended shutdowns. Keeping the computer logged in for convenience poses a significant security risk, as anyone can access it without your authorization. Moreover, merely informing a colleague to monitor your computer does not eliminate the risks that arise when leaving a logged-in system unattended, as they might not always be able to ensure its security. Therefore, the best practice is to log-off or lock the computer and securely remove any access keys like the PIV card to maintain the highest security standards.