What does the CIA triad in cybersecurity stand for?

The CIA triad is a fundamental concept in cybersecurity that stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.

Confidentiality refers to the protection of information from unauthorized access and disclosure. It ensures that sensitive data is accessible only to those who have the necessary permissions to view or use it. This is crucial in maintaining privacy and complying with regulatory requirements.

Integrity involves ensuring that data is accurate, reliable, and unaltered during its lifecycle. This means protecting data from unauthorized modifications, whether intentional or accidental. Integrity is vital for maintaining trust in the information systems and data used in decision-making processes.

Availability guarantees that information and resources are accessible to authorized users when needed. This ensures that systems are functioning properly and that users can rely on consistent access to critical data and services, even in the event of hardware failures, cyberattacks, or other disruptions.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the foundational principles represented in the CIA triad. Overall, understanding the CIA triad is essential for designing effective cybersecurity measures and policies.