Which component of information security involves preventing unauthorized access to data?

Confidentiality is a critical component of information security that focuses on protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access. It ensures that only authorized individuals can view or access specific data, thereby preserving the privacy and secrecy of that information. This principle is essential in various contexts, such as in the handling of personal data, financial records, and proprietary business information.

To achieve confidentiality, organizations implement various security measures such as encryption, access control lists, and rigorous authentication processes. These measures help ensure that even if data is intercepted or accessed improperly, it cannot be read or understood by unauthorized users. This focus on protecting data from unauthorized access is what distinguishes confidentiality from other components of information security.

Integrity, on the other hand, relates to maintaining the accuracy and consistency of data over its lifecycle, ensuring that it remains unaltered unless done by authorized individuals. Availability ensures that information and resources are accessible to authorized users when needed. Authentication refers to the processes used to verify the identity of users accessing the system. While these concepts are also fundamental to information security, they do not specifically target the goal of preventing unauthorized access to data as confidentiality does.