What is the primary goal of information security?

The primary goal of information security is to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information, often referred to as the CIA triad. This triad forms the foundation of information security principles and practices.

Confidentiality ensures that sensitive information is accessed only by authorized users. This is crucial in preventing unauthorized access and safeguarding personal and organizational data from breaches and leaks. Integrity refers to the accuracy and reliability of data—ensuring that information is not altered or tampered with by unauthorized parties. This is essential for maintaining trustworthiness in communications and transactions. Availability ensures that information and resources are accessible when needed by authorized users, enabling operational continuity and efficient functioning.

While ensuring compliance with legal regulations and enhancing user experience are important aspects of a comprehensive security strategy, they are typically secondary to the fundamental objective of safeguarding information itself. Similarly, while the development of new security technologies is beneficial, it does not directly address the overarching goal of information security. Ultimately, the protection of confidentiality, integrity, and availability is central to creating secure systems and mitigating risks to information assets.