Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies (AZ-300) Practice Exam

Which concept prevents unauthorized changes to information at rest or in transit?

1. Integrity

2. Confidentiality

3. Availability

4. Authentication

The correct answer is: Integrity

Integrity is the concept that ensures the accuracy and consistency of data across its lifecycle. It prevents unauthorized changes to information both at rest (stored data) and in transit (data being transferred). When integrity is maintained, any alterations made to the data without proper authorization can be detected, thereby ensuring that the information remains trustworthy and untainted. This concept is fundamental in various security mechanisms, such as checksums, hash functions, and digital signatures, which all help to verify that data has not been altered or corrupted. Thus, integrity plays a crucial role in safeguarding data from unauthorized modifications. Other concepts like confidentiality focus on protecting data from unauthorized access, ensuring that only authorized users can read the information. Availability ensures that data is accessible to authorized users when needed. Authentication is about verifying the identity of users or systems accessing data. Each of these concepts serves distinct purposes in the realm of information security but does not specifically address the prevention of unauthorized changes as integrity does.