Explain the difference between the terms security, privacy and integrity of data
🔒 6.1 Data Security – A Quick Guide
What is Data Security?
Data security is all about protecting information from unauthorised access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. Think of it as the lock on a diary that keeps secrets safe.
💡 Key Terms
Security (🛡️)
Security is the overall protection of data against threats. It’s like the security guard at a school who keeps everyone safe.
- Focuses on confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
- Tools: firewalls, encryption, authentication.
Privacy (👀)
Privacy is about controlling who can see or use personal data. Imagine a diary that only you can read.
- Concerned with personal information and consent.
- Regulations: GDPR, COPPA.
Integrity (⚖️)
Integrity ensures that data remains accurate and unaltered unless authorised. Think of a recipe that must stay the same every time you cook.
- Prevents accidental or malicious changes.
- Techniques: checksums, digital signatures.
📊 Comparison Table
| Term | What It Protects | Example | Exam Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | All data from threats | Encrypting a file before sending it over the internet | Remember the CIA triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability |
| Privacy | Personal information | Collecting student data for a school survey | Know the difference between public vs. private data |
| Integrity | Data accuracy | Ensuring a student’s grade record is not altered | Use checksums or hashes to verify data |
📝 Examination Tips
1️⃣ Define each term clearly. Use the CIA triad for Security, consent for Privacy, and checksums for Integrity.
2️⃣ Use analogies. e.g., lock for Security, diary for Privacy, recipe for Integrity.
3️⃣ Give a real‑world example. Relate to school data or social media.
4️⃣ Highlight the difference. Show that Security is the umbrella, Privacy is about who sees, Integrity is about correctness.
Revision
Log in to practice.