The main goal of information security is to protect: CIA. But what is the CIA? And why is there a need to protect it and from what?
Keep on reading to know more.
The Main Goal of Information Security is to Protect: CIA
In information security (Infosec), there are many things to protect. But its foundation is the CIA. This is the guide for every security policy made.
So, what is the CIA? It is the combination of these three:
- Confidentiality
- Integrity
- Availability
Thus, these are the criteria companies use to install new applications. As well as make a database or allowing access to data. So, to keep data safe, companies need to meet this goal.
Then, it will work together so that security becomes more robust. So, let look at each part of the CIA.
The Main Goal of Information Security and CIA
Confidentiality
Confidentiality. This is the first aspect of Infosec. It means to limit any access to data only to those who are authorized to do so. Thus, keeping outsiders and unauthorized workers to access them.
As a result, the data cannot go to the hands of the wrong people. Especially hackers and cybercriminals. To do this, you will need to do some steps.
Here are some of the ways to keep confidentiality:
- Encryption. Doing this will change the form of the data. Then, it only lets authorized people understand it.
- Access Controls. Putting up policies and standards when accessing data. Like putting up passwords or security keys to gain access.
- Stenography. Hiding information or data from third-party. Like using microdots and invisible ink.
Integrity
Integrity means keeping the data consistent, accurate, and trustworthy. Meaning, you need to avoid unauthorized change or deletion.
As a result, you can trust that data are still intact. And you can still use them for your business and more.
Some of the ways to keep integrity are:
- Hashing. A cryptographic science that converts data. Then, it will be impossible to invert it.
- Digital Signatures. A special kind of signature will be needed when accessing certain data. Like a QR code.
- Certificates. A special type of user credential that is asked when accessing some data.
- Non-repudiation. You can do a digital signing of a message. And also those who have a private key to do a digital signature.
Availability
If confidentiality keeps people out, availability is the opposite. It is keeping authorized people in on the data they need. So, they need to have access to data anytime.
Also, this means keeping up with the maintenance of all software and hardware. So that these work all the time.
Here are some of the ways to keep availability:
- Redundancy. Keeping things up even if one component is absent. Like putting up extra servers or power supply. Or backing data up.
- Fault Tolerance. Keeping systems up and running even if some areas fail.
When you achieve these three, you can be confident that your data is safe. So, are you keeping up with the CIA? What are the steps you are doing?
