The CIA Triad

The 3 Pillars of All Security

By RecOsint | Dec 1, 2025

Security is a three-part model that must be met simultaneously: 1-  Confidentiality (C) 2- Integrity (I) 3- Availability (A) If any one pillar fails, security fails.

- Meaning: Data is only viewable by authorized people. Goal: Prevent unauthorized disclosure. Example: Encrypting your emails so only the recipient can read them. Threat: Password theft, Phishing, Eavesdropping.

C: Confidentiality

- Meaning: Data is complete, accurate, and trustworthy. Goal: Prevent unauthorized modification. Example: Ensuring a hacker hasn't secretly changed the numbers in a bank transfer. Threat: Malware altering files, SQL Injection.

I: Integrity

- Meaning: Authorized users can access the system when they need it. Goal: Prevent service interruption. Example: Your banking app must be online 24/7, even during high traffic. Threat: DDoS Attacks, Ransomware locking files.

A: Availability

The Balancing Act You cannot always have 100% of all three. Example: If you unplug a server to make it perfectly safe (High Confidentiality), no one can use it (Zero Availability). The Job: A security pro finds the right balance for the business.

Every security tool, policy, and decision protects one of these three pillars. Remember: Security isn't just about hiding data; it's about keeping it Correct and Accessible too.

The Golden Rule