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Security Fundamentals & Crypto · Foundational

Integrity

Security goal ensuring data and systems are accurate, complete, and not altered by unauthorized parties.

Definition

Integrity guarantees that information has not been modified, deleted, or created improperly, whether accidentally or maliciously. It is supported by hashing, message authentication codes, digital signatures, input validation, and change control. Loss of integrity is called alteration.

Example

Comparing a downloaded ISO's SHA-256 value to the vendor's published hash verifies its integrity.

Exam tip

Hashes, HMACs, and digital signatures are integrity controls; only signatures and HMACs also prove origin.

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