Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) Practice Exam

Which of the following are fundamental objectives of information security?

1. Confidentiality

2. Integrity

3. Availability

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

The fundamental objectives of information security encompass confidentiality, integrity, and availability, collectively known as the "CIA triad." Confidentiality ensures that sensitive information is accessible only to those authorized to have access. This is crucial for protecting personal health information in accordance with regulations like HIPAA, which requires that individuals' medical records and personal health information remain private. Integrity refers to the accuracy and consistency of data over its entire lifecycle. This means that information should not be altered or destroyed in an unauthorized manner, which is vital for maintaining trust and reliability in healthcare data. Availability ensures that information and resources are accessible to authorized users when needed. In a healthcare context, this means that medical staff can access critical data without unnecessary delays, which is essential for patient care. By selecting all of the above as the answer, it highlights the holistic approach needed to protect information systems. Each of these objectives plays a significant role in forming a robust information security strategy, and neglecting any one of them can compromise the overall effectiveness of security measures.