CompTIA Security Terminology

CIA Triad

CIA model explains the basic objectives of cyber security: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability of your operations.

Confidentiality ensures that unauthorized individuals are not able to gain access to sensitive information.

Integrity ensures that there are no unauthorized modifications to information or systems, either intentionally or unintentionally.

Availability ensures that information and systems are ready to implement the needs of legitimate users at the time those users request them.

Nonrepudiation means that someone who performed some action, such as sending a message, cannot later deny having taken that action.

DAD Triad explains the three key threats to cybersecurity efforts: Disclosure, Alteration, and Denial.

Disclosure is the exposure of sensitive information to unauthorized individuals, otherwise known as data loss.

Alteration is the unauthorized modifications of information and is a violation of the principle of integrity.

Denial is the disruption of an authorized user’s legitimate access to information.