What term describes the assurance that information/data is not disclosed to unauthorized users?

Confidentiality is the term that best describes the assurance that information or data is not disclosed to unauthorized users. It refers to the protective measures and practices in place to ensure that sensitive information remains private and accessible only to those who are authorized to view it.

In the context of information security, confidentiality is crucial for maintaining trust and safeguarding personal, financial, and proprietary data from breaches or unauthorized access. This is often achieved through various means such as encryption, access controls, and secure communication channels.

Authentication relates to verifying the identity of users who are attempting to access a system, while authorization determines what resources a user can access based on their identity. Availability refers to ensuring that data and services are accessible when needed by authorized users. While all these terms are important aspects of information security, confidentiality specifically focuses on protecting sensitive information from being disclosed to those who do not have the right to access it.