Confidentiality definition: conserving device restrictions on information access and disclosure, including means for protecting personal privacy and proprietary information. Which option best reflects this definition?

• A. Conserving device restrictions on information access and disclosure, including means for protecting personal privacy and proprietary information.
• B. The act of holding information in confidence, not to be released to unauthorized individuals.
• C. The property that information is not disclosed to system entities unless they have been authorized to access the information.
• D. Guarding against improper information modification or destruction.

Answer: (A)

Confidentiality in information security means restricting access to information and preventing unauthorized disclosure, while protecting personal privacy and proprietary data. The option that explicitly mentions conserving device restrictions on information access and disclosure, along with protecting personal privacy and proprietary information, fits this idea exactly by tying access controls and privacy protection to the concept of confidentiality. The other choices describe related ideas—holding information in confidence is about trust and nondisclosure, authorization-based access without specifics on privacy or device safeguards, and preventing improper modification or destruction relates to integrity rather than confidentiality.