CISSP Security and Risk Management Practice Question
Which component of the CIA triad ensures that information is not disclosed to unauthorized individuals, entities, or processes?
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
✓
Confidentiality
Confidentiality ensures that information is accessible only to those authorized. Integrity ensures accuracy and completeness, and availability ensures timely 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.
- ✗
Non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation provides irrefutable proof of an action's origin and integrity, preventing a sender from denying having sent a message or a receiver from denying having received it. It uses mechanisms like digital signatures and audit trails to establish accountability for actions. However, its primary focus is on accountability and proof of origin, not on preventing the unauthorized viewing or disclosure of information itself.
- ✗
Integrity
Why it's wrong here
Integrity ensures that information remains accurate, complete, and unaltered throughout its lifecycle, protecting against unauthorized modification or destruction. This principle safeguards data from both accidental changes by authorized users and malicious tampering by unauthorized parties. While critical for trustworthy information, integrity does not directly prevent the initial unauthorized viewing or disclosure of information; it addresses its state of correctness.
- ✗
Availability
Why it's wrong here
Availability guarantees that authorized users can access information and resources when required, ensuring systems and data are operational and responsive. This involves protecting against denial-of-service attacks, hardware failures, and other disruptions that could impede legitimate access to information. While vital for usability and business continuity, availability focuses on access and uptime, not on preventing unauthorized parties from viewing the information itself.
- ✓
Confidentiality
Why this is correct
Confidentiality is the core principle that ensures information is not disclosed to unauthorized individuals, entities, or processes. It involves protecting sensitive data from being viewed or accessed by those without the proper clearance or need-to-know. Encryption, access controls, and proper data handling policies are primary mechanisms used to uphold confidentiality, directly addressing the prevention of unauthorized disclosure.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This CISSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CISSP exam.