What does the principle of integrity ensure in information assurance?

The principle of integrity in information assurance is fundamentally about safeguarding data against unauthorized modifications or deletions. This ensures that the data remains accurate, trustworthy, and reliable over time, maintaining its original state as intended by authorized users.

When data integrity is upheld, users can confidently rely on the authenticity of the data they interact with, as they are assured that it has not been tampered with or altered by unauthorized entities. This principle is critical in various contexts, such as financial records, personal information, and any data-driven systems where accuracy is paramount.

While availability, encryption, and regular backups are also essential components of information security, they pertain to different aspects. Availability ensures users can access data when needed, encryption protects data confidentiality, and backups safeguard against data loss. Nonetheless, these elements do not directly relate to the integrity of the data itself. Thus, focusing on protecting data from unauthorized modifications or deletions directly aligns with the principle of integrity.