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What are three methods that can be used to ensure confidentiality of information? (Choose three.)

• two factor authentication
• version control
• file permission settings
• username ID and password
• data encryption
• backup

The correct answers are:

1. Two-factor authentication
2. Username ID and password
3. Data encryption

Detailed Explanation:

Confidentiality refers to ensuring that sensitive information is accessible only to authorized individuals or systems. It is one of the three key principles of the CIA Triad (Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability) in information security. To maintain confidentiality, organizations use various methods to safeguard information from unauthorized access or exposure. The three methods in this question—two-factor authentication, username ID and password, and data encryption—are fundamental to ensuring confidentiality.

Let’s explore each of these methods in detail.

1. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an extra layer of security used to ensure that people trying to access an account or system are who they say they are. It requires two forms of verification:

1. Something you know: Typically, this is a username and password.
2. Something you have: This could be a physical token, smartphone app, or one-time code sent via SMS or email.

With two-factor authentication, even if a password is compromised, an unauthorized user would still need the second factor (like a physical token or access to the authorized person’s smartphone) to gain access. This additional layer of security significantly increases the confidentiality of the system or information, making it much harder for hackers or unauthorized users to gain access.

How 2FA Ensures Confidentiality:

• Strengthens Authentication: By requiring two different forms of authentication, 2FA makes it far more difficult for unauthorized individuals to access sensitive data. Passwords can be compromised, but without access to the second factor, an attacker cannot gain access.
• Reduces Risk from Phishing or Stolen Credentials: Even if a phishing attack successfully captures a username and password, the attacker cannot log in without the second factor.

Example: A bank uses two-factor authentication to protect customer accounts. After entering the correct username and password, the user must enter a code sent to their registered phone number. This ensures that only the legitimate user can access the account.

2. Username ID and Password

A username and password combination is the most common form of user authentication. The username serves as the unique identifier for an individual, while the password is a secret key that only the authorized user should know. This method ensures that only individuals who have both the correct username and password can access certain information or systems.

Passwords should follow best practices, such as:

• Being sufficiently complex: This means a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
• Being long enough: A longer password is harder to guess or crack through brute-force attacks.
• Being changed regularly: This reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access due to compromised credentials.
• Not being reused: Reusing passwords across multiple accounts increases vulnerability.

How Username and Password Ensure Confidentiality:

• Authentication: A unique username and a strong password help verify the identity of the user attempting to access the system. This is critical for ensuring that only authorized users can view or modify sensitive information.
• Access Control: By linking usernames and passwords to specific permissions or access levels, organizations can control who is allowed to access which information. For example, employees at different levels in a company may have different access privileges depending on their job role.
• Data Privacy: Since passwords are typically hashed and stored securely, unauthorized access to sensitive data is prevented unless the attacker can guess or break the password.

Example: A healthcare provider uses a secure portal where each healthcare professional has their own username and password to access patient records. Without the correct credentials, no one else can view or modify patient data.

3. Data Encryption

Data encryption is a process of converting plaintext data into an unreadable format (ciphertext) to protect the confidentiality of the data during transmission or storage. Encryption ensures that even if unauthorized users gain access to the data, they cannot understand or use it without the appropriate decryption key.

There are two main types of encryption:

1. Symmetric encryption: The same key is used for both encryption and decryption. It’s faster but requires both parties to share the same key securely.
2. Asymmetric encryption: Uses a pair of keys—public and private. The public key is used for encryption, and the private key is used for decryption. This method is widely used in secure communication over the internet, such as SSL/TLS protocols.

Encryption can be applied to:

• Data in transit: Information being sent across networks can be intercepted by attackers. Encryption ensures that intercepted data cannot be read without the proper decryption key.
• Data at rest: This includes files stored on a hard drive, database, or cloud storage. Encrypting stored data ensures that even if a device is lost or stolen, the data remains protected.

How Encryption Ensures Confidentiality:

• Prevents Unauthorized Access: Even if someone gains physical or virtual access to the data, they cannot read it without the decryption key.
• Secures Sensitive Communications: Encryption protects emails, messages, or other forms of communication from being intercepted and read by unauthorized parties.
• Protects Data Across Networks: With encryption protocols like TLS or VPN, data can be securely transmitted over public or private networks, reducing the risk of interception by hackers.

Example: A company encrypts sensitive financial records stored on their cloud servers. Even if a hacker gains access to the servers, the data is encrypted and cannot be read without the decryption key.

Complementary Use of the Three Methods

When used together, two-factor authentication, username ID and password, and data encryption provide a layered approach to confidentiality that significantly strengthens the security posture of an organization. Each method addresses a different aspect of security:

• Username and password: Provide a fundamental level of access control by verifying identity.
• Two-factor authentication: Adds an additional layer of protection, requiring two forms of identity verification.
• Data encryption: Ensures that, even if unauthorized access occurs, the data remains unreadable without the decryption key.

These methods complement each other by securing both access and the data itself, preventing unauthorized individuals from obtaining or using sensitive information. Together, they form a robust strategy to maintain the confidentiality of information, whether it’s stored, transmitted, or processed.

Conclusion

Confidentiality is a fundamental goal in cybersecurity, and it is essential to use multiple methods to ensure that sensitive information is only accessible to authorized individuals. Two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security to the traditional username ID and password system, making it much harder for unauthorized individuals to access information. Data encryption, meanwhile, protects the actual content of the data, ensuring that even if it is intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties, it remains unreadable. Combining these three methods provides a strong, multifaceted approach to securing confidential information, whether in a personal or organizational context.