Which principle is crucial for maintaining data confidentiality?

Maintaining data confidentiality is primarily about ensuring that sensitive information is only accessible to individuals who have been granted the appropriate permissions. Restricting access to authorized individuals ensures that unauthorized users cannot view or retrieve sensitive data, thereby protecting it from disclosure or misuse. This principle forms the foundation of confidentiality in data security and is essential in any effective security strategy.

While encrypting stored data is an important practice for safeguarding information in transit and at rest, it complements the principle of restricting access rather than being a standalone measure for maintaining confidentiality. Regular security audits support the enforcement of access controls by identifying who accessed data and if there were any unauthorized attempts. However, these audits alone do not inherently guarantee confidentiality; they are a part of a broader risk management approach. Utilizing multiple storage locations can distribute data but does not directly address access control or the potential for unauthorized disclosures.

Thus, the core principle of restricting access to authorized individuals is key to effectively maintain data confidentiality.