The five pillars of information security form the foundation for designing and evaluating security policies, systems, and processes. In a world driven by AI, the pillars of information security remain essential…
1. Confidentiality
Definition: Ensuring that information is accessible only to those authorized to access it.
Goal: Prevent unauthorized disclosure of data.
Controls & Examples:
- Encryption (e.g., AES for data at rest or TLS for data in transit)
- Access controls (e.g., role-based access, multifactor authentication)
- Data classification and labeling
- VPNs for secure remote access
2. Integrity
Definition: Assuring the accuracy and completeness of data and system configurations.
Goal: Prevent unauthorized modification or destruction of information.
Controls & Examples:
- Hashing (e.g., SHA-256 to verify file integrity)
- Digital signatures
- Audit logs
- File integrity monitoring systems
3. Availability
Definition: Ensuring that information and systems are accessible to authorized users when needed.
Goal: Minimize downtime and ensure reliable access to critical systems.
Controls & Examples:
- Redundant systems and failover clusters
- Backup and disaster recovery plans
- Denial-of-service (DoS) protection
- Regular patching and maintenance
4. Authenticity
Definition: Verifying that users, systems, and data are genuine.
Goal: Ensure that communications and data originate from a trusted source.
Controls & Examples:
- Digital certificates and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
- Two-factor authentication
- Biometric verification
- Secure protocols like SSH, HTTPS
5. Non-repudiation
Definition: Ensuring that a party in a communication cannot deny the authenticity of their signature or the sending of a message.
Goal: Provide proof of origin and integrity to avoid disputes.
Controls & Examples:
- Digital signatures with timestamps
- Immutable audit logs
- Secure email with signing and logging
- Blockchain-based verification in advanced systems
Together, these five pillars help protect the confidentiality, accuracy, reliability, authenticity, and accountability of information systems and are essential for any organization’s risk management strategy.
Foundations of Information Security
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