Which objective guards against the improper use of data during processing?

Which objective guards against the improper use of data during processing?

• A. Availability
• B. Confidentiality
• C. Integrity of processing
• D. Data minimization

Answer: (C)

Processing integrity focuses on ensuring that data are processed correctly and only as authorized, so the outputs are accurate, complete, timely, and trustworthy. When data go through processing steps, there’s a risk that they could be altered, incomplete, or processed in the wrong way, which means data are being used improperly during processing. Controls like input validation, processing checks, reconciliations, strict authorization, and robust audit trails are put in place to prevent these issues and to detect them if they occur. That focus on correct handling of data as it’s processed is what guards against misuse during processing. Concerns about availability relate to keeping systems accessible when needed, confidentiality protects data from unauthorized disclosure, and data minimization reduces the amount of data collected. None of these target improper use during the actual processing in the way processing integrity does.

Processing integrity focuses on ensuring that data are processed correctly and only as authorized, so the outputs are accurate, complete, timely, and trustworthy. When data go through processing steps, there’s a risk that they could be altered, incomplete, or processed in the wrong way, which means data are being used improperly during processing. Controls like input validation, processing checks, reconciliations, strict authorization, and robust audit trails are put in place to prevent these issues and to detect them if they occur. That focus on correct handling of data as it’s processed is what guards against misuse during processing.

Concerns about availability relate to keeping systems accessible when needed, confidentiality protects data from unauthorized disclosure, and data minimization reduces the amount of data collected. None of these target improper use during the actual processing in the way processing integrity does.