What is the part of the CIA triad that ensures information remains unaltered during transmission?

The correct response highlights the concept of integrity, which is a critical component of the CIA triad—an essential framework in information security. Integrity ensures that data remains accurate, consistent, and unaltered during its lifecycle, including transmission between systems. This protection against unauthorized modifications is vital for maintaining trust in the data, especially when it is transmitted over potentially insecure networks.

When data integrity measures are in place, they can include techniques such as hashing and checksums, which verify that the data received is exactly the same as the data that was sent, ensuring no alterations have occurred. This is fundamental in scenarios such as financial transactions or the transfer of sensitive information, where even the smallest modification could lead to significant issues.

In contrast, confidentiality relates to protecting information from unauthorized access, ensuring that only permitted individuals can view it. Availability ensures that information and resources are accessible to authorized users when needed. Non-repudiation involves providing proof of the origin and integrity of data, preventing denial of involvement by either party in a transaction, but does not specifically address the maintenance of data integrity during transmission. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the significance of integrity within the context of secure data handling.