Confidentiality

Confidentiality is the protection of information from unauthorized access or disclosure. It ensures that sensitive information is accessible only to individuals or systems that are authorized to access it.

Confidentiality requires that information be accessed only by authorized users. Access controls, authentication, and encryption are commonly used to protect sensitive information.

Encryption transforms information into a form that cannot be easily understood by unauthorized users. Only users with the appropriate key can decrypt and access the original information.

Authentication verifies the identity of a user before allowing access to protected information. Examples include passwords, multi-factor authentication, and biometric authentication.

Physical security protects systems and information from unauthorized physical access. Examples include secure facilities, locks, access cards, and surveillance systems.