What are two methods that ensure confidentiality in cybersecurity?

In cybersecurity, confidentiality refers to the protection of information from unauthorized access and disclosure. Ensuring confidentiality is crucial to safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining the trust of individuals and organizations.

Encryption is one of the primary methods used to ensure confidentiality. It involves transforming data into a format that can only be read by someone who possesses the appropriate decryption key. This means even if the data is intercepted or accessed without authorization, the information remains unreadable and secure.

Access control is another important method for maintaining confidentiality. It involves defining and managing who can access or modify certain data. By implementing strict access controls to ensure that only authorized users can view or interact with sensitive information, organizations can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches.

Authentication plays a complementary role in confidentiality. It verifies the identity of users seeking access to systems or data, ensuring that only legitimate users can access the information. While authentication itself does not encrypt data or restrict access, it is foundational in enforcing access control measures.

Each of these methods—encryption, access control, and authentication—contributes to a comprehensive approach to ensuring confidentiality within cybersecurity practices. The combined use of these methods strengthens an organization's overall security posture, demonstrating the importance of an integrative strategy in safeguarding sensitive information. This is why the option