CIA Triad
The CIA Triad is a foundational model in cybersecurity that defines the key principles for ensuring secure systems and data. It consists of three core elements:
1. Confidentiality
- Definition: Ensuring that sensitive information is accessible only to authorized individuals or systems and is protected from unauthorized access.
- Key Practices:
- Data encryption.
- Access controls (e.g., passwords, biometrics).
- Network security measures like firewalls and VPNs.
- Regular audits to prevent data breaches.
2. Integrity
- Definition: Maintaining the accuracy and consistency of data throughout its lifecycle, ensuring it is not altered or tampered with without authorization.
- Key Practices:
- Use of checksums and hash functions to detect unauthorized changes.
- Version control systems to track changes.
- Digital signatures to verify authenticity.
- Secure logging to monitor and trace modifications.
3. Availability
- Definition: Ensuring that information and systems are accessible to authorized users when needed, without undue delays or interruptions.
- Key Practices:
- Regular system maintenance and updates.
- Use of redundant systems and backups.
- Protection against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.
- Disaster recovery and business continuity planning.
Why It Matters
The CIA Triad serves as a guiding framework for designing and evaluating security systems, helping organizations balance priorities and address potential vulnerabilities. Neglecting any one of these principles can lead to significant risks, including data breaches, loss of trust, and operational downtime.