Microsoft Azure Architect Technologies (AZ-300) Practice Exam

Which factor is crucial for protecting passwords and access keys in information security?

1. Integrity

2. Confidentiality

3. Availability

4. Disaster Recovery

The correct answer is: Confidentiality

Confidentiality is crucial for protecting passwords and access keys in information security because it ensures that sensitive information is only accessible to those who are authorized to view it. Maintaining confidentiality means implementing measures that prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data, which includes passwords and access keys that are essential for securing systems and protecting data integrity. By safeguarding confidentiality, organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to systems, and various forms of cyberattacks that exploit weak or exposed credentials. This often involves using encryption, secure storage solutions, and access controls to ensure that only authorized users have the ability to access sensitive information. While integrity, availability, and disaster recovery are important aspects of information security, they do not solely focus on the protective measures necessary for passwords and access keys. Integrity pertains to the accuracy and consistency of data over its lifecycle, availability ensures that data and systems are accessible when needed, and disaster recovery involves the processes for recovering from significant failures or breaches. However, the specific need to protect the confidentiality of data is paramount when it comes to handling passwords and access keys safely.