Integrity

Integrity: Property ensuring that data is complete, accurate, and unaltered. The term relates to the organizational governance of information security. ResponsibilitiesResponsibilityAn explicitly assigned obligation to make, perform, or verify a security decision or task., mandatory requirements, measurable objectives, evidence, and continuous improvementContinuous ImprovementThe recurring use of findings and measurements to improve security capabilities over time. are essential components.

How it works and where it fits

Integrity must be considered across the complete data lifecycle: creation, processing, transfer, storage, sharing, archiving, and deletion. Safeguards depend on sensitivity, legal obligations, business value, and potential harm. Copies, metadata, and derived information may carry the same or a different protection requirement.

Practical security relevance

In practice, this calls for classification, governed access, suitable encryption, and traceable retention periods. Data flows and storage locations should be inventoried across cloud services, backups, and test environments. Monitoring and loss prevention complement technical controls, but they do not replace data minimization or the secure deletion of information that is no longer required.

Related concepts

• ConfidentialityConfidentialityThe property ensuring that information is accessible only to authorized persons or systems.: The property ensuring that information is accessible only to authorized persons or systems.
• AvailabilityAvailabilityThe attribute of systems and data being usable when needed.: The attribute of systems and data being usable when needed.
• Hash FunctionHash FunctionMaps data deterministically to a fixed checksum or hash value.: Maps data deterministically to a fixed checksum or hash value.
• Digital SignatureDigital SignatureCryptographic proof of the authenticity and integrity of digital data.: Cryptographic proof of the authenticity and integrity of digital data.