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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/secplus-cia-confidentiality

Encrypting a laptop's files mainly protects which part of the CIA triad?

Confidentiality, keeping data away from unauthorized eyes.

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  1. Confidentiality ✔
  2. Integrity
  3. Availability

Why: Confidentiality means only authorized people can read information. Encryption scrambles the data so a thief without the key sees nothing useful.

Huh, didn't know that: NIST counts non-repudiation and authenticity as part of integrity, so the CIA triad quietly covers more than three ideas.

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References

Answer: Confidentiality. Confidentiality means only authorized people can read information. Encryption scrambles the data so a thief without the key sees nothing useful.

  1. NIST CSRC Glossary: confidentiality csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/confidentiality
    Preserving authorized restrictions on information access and disclosure
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. NIST CSRC Glossary: integrity csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/integrity
    includes ensuring information nonrepudiation and authenticity
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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