Certified Incident Handler (CIH) Practice Ecam

What element of information security ensures the trustworthiness of data during transmission?

1. Integrity

2. Confidentiality

3. Authentication

4. Non-repudiation

The correct answer is: Integrity

Integrity is the element of information security that ensures the trustworthiness of data during transmission. It refers to maintaining the accuracy and consistency of data throughout its lifecycle, ensuring that it remains unchanged and uncorrupted during transfer. This means that when data is sent from one point to another, measures are taken to verify that the data received is exactly what was sent, with no unauthorized alterations or modifications. This aspect is critical in information security, as tampered data can lead to incorrect decisions or actions based on false information. Integrity is often ensured through techniques such as hashing, checksums, and digital signatures, which help to verify that the data received is identical to the data that was transmitted. Confidentiality focuses on keeping data secret and protecting it from unauthorized access. Authentication involves verifying the identity of users or systems involved in the communication, ensuring that only legitimate parties are engaged. Non-repudiation ensures that a sender cannot deny sending a message, and a receiver cannot deny receiving it. While important, these elements do not primarily address the concern of data integrity during transmission.