Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability (ACID)
Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability (ACID)
Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability (ACID) definition
In general terms, Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation, Durability (ACID) is a set of database properties that are responsible for transaction process reliability. ACID ensures that when the transaction is committed, the data on it remains safe, even during system failures. These properties are beneficial where sensitive data integrity is paramount.
See also: transactions per second
Common ACID applications in cybersecurity:
- E-commerce platforms: ACID application in e-commerce lets track data consistently. For example, when a customer places an order, it ensures that payment, inventory, and order records are captured correctly and consistently.
- Financial systems: Banking and payment-related systems rely on ACID to ensure that all financial transactions are processed reliably. For instance, during the money transfer process between accounts, it’s essential that transactions are atomic (either fully completed or entirely fail) and leave the system altogether.
- Reservation systems: Airline, hotel, or event reservation systems employ ACID properties. ACID ensures that, for example, once event seats are booked, they can’t be double-booked by other customers, preserving the integrity of secured data.