<aside> <img src="/icons/checkmark_gray.svg" alt="/icons/checkmark_gray.svg" width="40px" /> Integrity helps ensure that information and data remain accurate and unchanged from its original state unless intentionally modified by an authorized individual. Integrity verifies the accuracy and trustworthiness of data over the entire lifecycle

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Integrity is important for three main reasons:

• To ensure data accuracy
• To maintain trust
• To ensure system operability

To help maintain the integrity of our data, systems, and networks, we usually utilize five methods:

• Hashing
  • Process of converting data into a fixed-size value
• Digital signatures
  • Ensures both integrity and authenticity
• Checksums
  • Method to verify the integrity of data during transmission
• Access controls
  • Ensure that only authorized individuals can modify data and this reduces the risk of unintentional or malicious alterations
• Regular Audits
  • Involve systematically reviewing logs and operations to ensure that only authorized changes have been made, and any discrepancies are immediately addressed