Network Defense Essentials (NDE) Practice Exam 2025 - Free Network Defense Practice Questions and Study Guide

The principle that ensures information cannot be modified by unauthorized parties is integrity. Integrity refers to the accuracy and consistency of data over its entire lifecycle. This principle is fundamental in cybersecurity, as it ensures that any data that is created, stored, or transmitted remains unaltered during these processes, except in cases where authorized modifications are allowed.

Integrity mechanisms, like hashing and checksums, are commonly used to detect any unauthorized changes to data. When integrity is maintained, users can trust that the information they are accessing is reliable and has not been tampered with. This is crucial in various contexts, such as financial transactions, legal documents, and critical communications, where any unauthorized alterations could lead to severe consequences.

Other principles serve different purposes: authentication verifies the identity of users or systems, non-repudiation provides proof of the integrity and origin of data, and confidentiality protects information from being accessed by unauthorized individuals. Each principle plays a distinct role in the broader field of information security, but integrity specifically addresses the need to prevent unauthorized modifications to data.