About this interactive
The Data Protection lesson asks what we are protecting data from, and answers with two triads that mirror each other.
The CIA triad is the goal: confidentiality, integrity and availability. The DAD triad is what goes wrong: disclosure (the data is seen by someone who should not see it), alteration (the data changes and is no longer accurate) and denial (users cannot get to it).
Integrity: first notice that data changed. Keep duplicate copies and compare them (three copies show which one changed), or keep a hash, a fingerprint that changes if the data does. A parity bit is added so a group of bits always adds up to an odd (or even) number, so a flipped bit shows up. When bad data is found, data scrubbing puts it right.
Availability: keep the data there when users need it. Replicate a database, take backups, and copy the whole setup to a second site to fail over to.
Confidentiality: keep data from the wrong eyes. The surest way is not to have it at all; otherwise limit access to it, or conceal it.
A quick test for each card: does it guard against the data being seen, being changed, or being unreachable?
About TechKnowSurge
TechKnowSurge builds IT and cybersecurity professionals through hands-on, concept-first training built around real understanding — not memorization. Free interactive tools, structured programs, and 25+ years of real-world experience, all in one place.
Explore free tools and programs →