Which principle of the CIA triad focuses on protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access?

• A. Integrity
• B. Availability
• C. Confidentiality
• D. Authentication

Answer: (C)

The principle that focuses on protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access is confidentiality. Confidentiality ensures that sensitive data is only accessible to authorized individuals or systems, which is crucial for maintaining the privacy and security of that information. It involves various strategies, such as encryption, access controls, and secure authentication processes, to prevent unauthorized users from gaining access to the data.

In contrast, the other principles in the CIA triad serve different purposes: integrity is concerned with maintaining the accuracy and reliability of data, ensuring that it is not altered or corrupted by unauthorized users. Availability focuses on ensuring that information and resources are accessible to authorized users when needed, without interruption. Authentication is a process related to verifying the identity of users or systems trying to access information, but it is not itself a principle of the CIA triad.