Which item is NOT one of the three primary information security principles?

Which item is NOT one of the three primary information security principles?

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

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is the CIA triad, which covers three core security goals: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Confidentiality means only authorized people can access information; integrity ensures data is accurate and not tampered with; availability guarantees that authorized users can access the data and systems when needed. Accountability plays an important role in security by ensuring actions can be traced and responsibilities assigned (think logs, audits, and non-repudiation), but it is not one of the three primary goals of the CIA triad. That’s why the item describing accountability is not part of the three primary information security principles. The other terms—confidentiality, integrity, and availability—are the triad.

The main idea here is the CIA triad, which covers three core security goals: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Confidentiality means only authorized people can access information; integrity ensures data is accurate and not tampered with; availability guarantees that authorized users can access the data and systems when needed. Accountability plays an important role in security by ensuring actions can be traced and responsibilities assigned (think logs, audits, and non-repudiation), but it is not one of the three primary goals of the CIA triad. That’s why the item describing accountability is not part of the three primary information security principles. The other terms—confidentiality, integrity, and availability—are the triad.