Which of the following is not a principle of the CIA triad?

• A. Confidentiality
• B. Integrity
• C. Accountability
• D. Availability

Answer: (C)

The CIA triad is a fundamental concept in information security that encompasses three core principles: Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. These principles are essential for ensuring the security and protection of information systems.

Confidentiality ensures that sensitive information is only accessible to those who are authorized to see it, thereby protecting data from unauthorized access. Integrity refers to the accuracy and consistency of data over its entire lifecycle, ensuring that it is not altered or tampered with in any unauthorized manner. Availability ensures that information and resources are accessible to authorized users when needed.

Accountability, while an important aspect of information security and governance, is not one of the three core principles defined by the CIA triad. Instead, accountability relates to ensuring that users are held responsible for their actions, which may involve tracking and logging user activity. This concept supports the overall security framework but does not belong to the fundamental trio of principles encapsulated in the CIA triad. Hence, the identification of accountability as the option not included in the CIA triad is accurate.