What aspect of data security ensures that information is not tampered with?

The concept of integrity in data security refers to the accuracy and consistency of data throughout its lifecycle. It ensures that information remains unaltered and that unauthorized parties cannot modify it. This aspect of security is crucial for maintaining reliable and trustworthy data, as any unauthorized changes can lead to misinformation, which could have serious consequences depending on the context (e.g., financial records, health information, etc.).

Maintaining data integrity involves various practices such as using checksums, hashing data, and implementing access controls that prevent unauthorized modifications. These methods help verify that any data retrieved is exactly as it was when originally recorded, thus protecting against accidental or malicious alterations.

In contrast, confidentiality focuses on keeping information secret and accessible only to authorized users, while availability ensures that information is accessible when needed. Data governance is a broader framework concerning the overall management of data, including compliance and policy-making but does not specifically address the issue of data tampering.