Network Defense Essentials (NDE) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Network Defense Practice Questions and Study Guide

The principle of information assurance that allows an administrator to access system files is authentication. Authentication is the process that verifies the identity of a user, device, or system. By proving their identity through various methods—such as passwords, biometrics, or tokens—an administrator is granted the necessary permissions to access system files and perform administrative functions.

This principle is fundamental because it ensures that only authorized users can gain access to sensitive information or critical system components, thereby protecting the overall integrity and confidentiality of the data. Without effective authentication mechanisms in place, unauthorized individuals could potentially gain access to sensitive information, leading to potential breaches or system damage.

In the context of the other principles, integrity refers to ensuring that data is accurate and unaltered, confidentiality involves protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access, and availability ensures that information and resources are accessible when needed. Each of these plays a critical role in information assurance, but authentication is the specific mechanism that allows authenticated users, like administrators, to access system files securely.