Jerel Dent
200T
September 18, 2024

Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability

The Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA) Triad is considered to be the most
important concepts within information security. To clear any confusion or involvement with the
Central Intelligence Agency, the triad can also be referred to as the “AIC”. The triad is a
designed guide of policies allowing companies and organizations to follow the framework to
create their own security policies. The CIA triad also allows companies to categorize needs and
issues, into groups based on their importance or value. Confidentiality is privacy, or the
prevention against unauthorized access to private information. Integrity addresses the honesty
of a person or group being trusted, to not change or alter information. Availability has to do with
information being accessible and properly usable.

Dealing with the security policy aspect of the triad, authentication and authorization have
to be addressed. Authentication focuses on people being who they say they are. An example of
this is when someone has their ID checked before getting on a plane. On the other hand,
authorization deals with letting certain individuals into private locations or places. For example,
having to scan a card before being let into a building. Together, they act as security features,
making sure people are who they say they are, and giving them accessibility if they are to have
access.

In conclusion, the CIA Triad is important because it is a building block for the
cybersecurity field. The triad is functional at all levels and is “useful for managing the products
and data of research” (Washington University in St.Louis). Authentication ensures a person is who they claim to be, and authorization gives accessibility to the correct individuals. All together,
these concepts lead to the development of a well run information security system.

References:
Washington University in St. Louis. (n.d.). Confidentiality, integrity, and availability: The
CIA triad. Office of Information Security.
https://informationsecurity.wustl.edu/items/confidentiality-integrity-and-availability-the-cia-triad/#:
~:text=The%20CIA%20Triad%E2%80%94Confidentiality%2C%20Integrity,to%20these%20thre
e%20crucial%20components.