What do the letters "CIA" in information security stand for?

The letters "CIA" in information security represent Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. These three principles are foundational to the field of information security and are critical in ensuring the protection of sensitive data and information systems.

Confidentiality refers to measures taken to ensure that sensitive information is accessed only by authorized individuals. This includes implementing policies and technologies that prevent unauthorized disclosure of private data.

Integrity involves maintaining the accuracy and consistency of data over its entire life cycle. This means ensuring that information is not altered or tampered with in unauthorized ways, thus preserving its correctness and reliability.

Availability ensures that information and resources are accessible to authorized users when needed. This involves maintaining systems and infrastructure in a way that minimizes downtime and ensures continuous access to data.

Together, these principles provide a balanced approach to safeguarding information systems, making the correct answer the most relevant in the context of information security. The other options focus on different aspects or interpretations that do not align with the core CIA triad framework.