CIA Triad
The Foundation of Information Security
Confidentiality • Integrity • Availability
What is the CIA Triad?
The CIA Triad is a fundamental concept in cybersecurity, representing the three core principles that guide information security policies within organizations. CIA stands for Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability.
The Three Pillars
Confidentiality
Information is accessible only to authorized individuals
Integrity
Information remains accurate and unaltered
Availability
Information is accessible when needed
Confidentiality
Definition: Ensures sensitive information is accessed only by authorized individuals.
Key Methods:
- Encryption
- Access Controls
- Authentication
- Data Masking
Confidentiality Examples
- Banking: Encrypted customer data
- Healthcare: Role-based access to records
- Corporate: VPN for remote communications
Benefits:
- Protects sensitive data
- Maintains privacy
- Ensures compliance
Integrity
Definition: Ensures information remains accurate and unaltered.
Key Methods:
- Checksums & Hash Functions
- Digital Signatures
- Version Control
- Audit Trails
Integrity Examples
- Software: Digital signatures for downloads
- Banking: Checksums for transactions
- Legal: Audit trails for documents
Benefits:
- Guarantees data accuracy
- Prevents unauthorized modifications
- Ensures data trustworthiness
Availability
Definition: Ensures information is accessible when needed.
Key Methods:
- Redundancy
- Disaster Recovery Plans
- Load Balancing
- Regular Maintenance
Availability Examples
- Cloud: Multiple data centers for 99.9% uptime
- E-commerce: Load balancers for peak traffic
- Healthcare: Backup power for equipment
Benefits:
- Continuous access to services
- Minimizes downtime
- Supports business continuity
CIA Triad Interrelationship
All three components work together for comprehensive security.
Examples:
- C + I: Encryption + Checksums
- I + A: Version Control + Continuous Access
- A + C: Redundant Systems + Access Controls
Balancing the CIA Triad
Key Considerations:
- Business Requirements
- Regulatory Compliance
- Cost vs. Security
- User Experience
Common Threats to Each Component
Confidentiality Threats
- Data breaches
- Unauthorized access
- Social engineering
- Eavesdropping
- Insider threats
Integrity Threats
- Data corruption
- Unauthorized modifications
- Malware attacks
- Man-in-the-middle attacks
- System glitches
Availability Threats
- DDoS attacks
- System failures
- Natural disasters
- Power outages
- Hardware failures
Real-World Case Studies
- Confidentiality: Equifax breach (2017)
- Integrity: Stuxnet worm (2010)
- Availability: GitHub DDoS (2018)
Technical Controls
- Strong encryption algorithms
- Multi-factor authentication
- Regular security updates
- Backup and recovery systems
- Network segmentation
Administrative Controls
- Security policies and procedures
- Employee training programs
- Regular security assessments
- Incident response plans
- Risk management frameworks
Key Takeaways
- CIA Triad is foundation of security
- All three components interconnected
- Balance based on specific needs
- Different threats need different defenses
- Continuous monitoring essential
Remember: Balance Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability