FC0-U71 Security Practice Question
Which element of the CIA triad is primarily concerned with ensuring that data is not accessed by unauthorized individuals?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that authentication sounds like it belongs in the CIA triad because it is a security control — candidates often pick it over confidentiality, forgetting that the triad is Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability, and authentication is merely a supporting mechanism.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
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Confidentiality
Confidentiality is the CIA triad element that ensures data is only accessible to authorized individuals, typically enforced through encryption, access controls, and authentication mechanisms. It directly addresses the concern of preventing unauthorized access or disclosure. Integrity concerns data accuracy, and availability concerns uptime — neither addresses unauthorized access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Confidentiality
Why this is correct
Confidentiality directly satisfies the stem's constraint that data must not be accessed by unauthorised individuals. It achieves this through encryption, access controls and authentication mechanisms, which restrict disclosure to approved parties only. Unlike integrity, which guards against improper modification, confidentiality specifically addresses unauthorised read access.
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Authentication
Why it's wrong here
Authentication verifies an identity before granting access; it is a mechanism, not a CIA triad element. It is tempting because authentication does gate access, but the triad element concerned with preventing unauthorised access is confidentiality. Authentication supports confidentiality rather than being the element itself.
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Availability
Why it's wrong here
Availability ensures data and systems remain accessible to authorised users when needed; it does not address unauthorised access. It is tempting because availability is a genuine CIA triad element, but it concerns uptime and resilience. Confidentiality, not availability, is the element preventing unauthorised individuals from accessing data.
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Integrity
Why it's wrong here
Integrity ensures data remains accurate and unaltered, guarding against unauthorised modification rather than unauthorised access. It is tempting because integrity is a genuine CIA triad element and involves unauthorised changes. Confidentiality, however, specifically concerns preventing unauthorised individuals from accessing data at all.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
This FC0-U71 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the FC0-U71 exam.