Which aspect of information security ensures protection against unauthorized data alterations?

Integrity is the aspect of information security that focuses on ensuring that data is accurate and unaltered. When we talk about maintaining integrity, we are specifically addressing the need to protect data from unauthorized changes, whether intentional or accidental. This involves implementing measures such as checksums, hashing, digital signatures, and access controls, all of which work to verify that the data remains in its intended state throughout its lifecycle.

In contrast, availability refers to the assurance that information and resources are accessible when needed. Authentication involves verifying the identity of users or systems before granting access to data, while confidentiality is concerned with ensuring that sensitive information is kept secret and only accessible to authorized individuals. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in a comprehensive information security strategy, but it is integrity that explicitly safeguards against unauthorized alterations to data.