Which principle of cybersecurity focuses on ensuring that systems are operational and accessible when needed?

The principle that focuses on ensuring systems are operational and accessible when needed is availability. This principle is one of the core tenets of the CIA triad, which includes confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Availability ensures that information and resources are accessible to authorized users when required, minimizing downtime and disruption. This is particularly crucial in environments where continuous access to data and systems is necessary for business operations, emergency services, or anywhere that relies on timely access to information.

Ensuring availability involves implementing measures such as redundancy, failover systems, and regular maintenance to prevent outages. Without availability, even the most secure and accurate data is useless if users cannot access it when needed. This principle underscores the importance of operations management in cybersecurity, where proactive planning helps to safeguard against events that might lead to system inaccessibility.