CyberGuard dictionary / Core Cybersecurity
Integrity
Protection against unauthorized or improper alteration of information.
In simple terms
You should be able to trust that a record has not been changed without permission.
Technical explanation
Integrity controls include authorization, change tracking, and cryptographic checks that detect or prevent unauthorized modification.
Validation, approval workflows, audit trails, and integrity checks help establish that data and software have not been altered improperly. An integrity failure can be accidental or malicious and may remain hidden until a decision uses the corrupted information.
Examples in practice
A bank verifies that a payment amount matches the approved transaction.
If a payment instruction changes after approval, a reconciliation check flags the mismatch before money moves. Investigators compare the original request, approval record, and transaction log to find where the value changed.
Why it matters
Accurate data is necessary for sound decisions and safe operations.
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Sources and further reading
Published 2026-10-15 · Last updated 2026-10-15 · CyberGuard editorial content. Source links provide context; they do not imply endorsement.