Which term covers protecting data from unauthorized modifications or data corruption and ensures data is not changed during transfer?

Which term covers protecting data from unauthorized modifications or data corruption and ensures data is not changed during transfer?

• A. Confidentiality
• B. Encryption
• C. Hash
• D. Integrity

Answer: (D)

Data integrity means the data remains accurate and unaltered from its source to its destination, including while it’s being transferred. It specifically protects against unauthorized modifications or corruption and provides a way to detect any changes that occur in transit. Techniques like checksums, hash digests, and MACs let the recipient verify that the data received matches what was sent. A hash, for example, is a tool used to verify integrity by comparing a digest computed on arrival with the original, but it doesn’t by itself prevent tampering. Encryption focuses on keeping content secret (confidentiality) rather than guaranteeing it isn’t changed. When you pair integrity checks with authentication (like digital signatures or MACs), you also confirm who sent the data and prevent undetected modifications. So, the concept described is integrity.