Information assurance
Information assurance
(also IA)
Information assurance definition
Information assurance is an umbrella term for the measures that preserve data confidentiality, integrity, and availability within an organization or system. Typically, measures like encryption, data backup, access control, and disaster recovery are part of information assurance. The goal of IA is to protect digital assets (e.g., data, software, or websites) and to make digital information safe, accurate, and accessible when needed.
See also: information security policy
Common technologies used in IA
- Firewalls control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on an organization’s predefined security rules. They help protect against unauthorized access and cyberattacks.
- IDS and IPS tools monitor network traffic for suspicious activities or breaches. IDS warns administrators of potential threats, while IPS can actively block them.
- Antivirus and anti-malware software tools detect and remove viruses, malware, and other malicious software from computers and networks.
- VPNs provide secure and encrypted communication over public networks and protect the data during transmission.
- Data encryption tools protect sensitive data by converting it into an unreadable format unless decrypted with the appropriate key.
- Access control systems manage user access to resources to only allow authorized individuals or devices to access specific information or systems.
- Data backup and recovery solutions ensure the organization’s data is still available even if the system fails.