What is the primary objective of cybersecurity in terms of the CIA triad?

• A. Encrypt all data at rest.
• B. Ensure only authentication.
• C. Prevent all malware.
• D. Protect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and systems.

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is the CIA triad: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. In cybersecurity, the overarching goal is to protect information and systems so that they remain confidential (only authorized people see them), maintain integrity (data is accurate and not tampered with), and are available (systems and data are accessible when needed). That balanced focus on all three properties is what keeps information secure and usable.

The statement that best fits this goal is the one that emphasizes protecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and systems. It captures the whole spectrum of security concerns: keeping data private, ensuring it stays correct and unaltered, and ensuring it’s accessible to authorized users even in the face of disruptions.

Why the others aren’t sufficient: encrypting all data at rest helps confidentiality but doesn’t inherently guarantee integrity or availability. authentication alone addresses identifying users but does not protect data from tampering or ensure access when needed. aiming to prevent all malware is a noble goal but not realistically achievable and does not address how data is protected across confidentiality, integrity, and availability.