What does integrity in information security guarantee?

Integrity in information security primarily refers to maintaining the accuracy and consistency of data over its lifecycle. When integrity is guaranteed, it means that the data cannot be altered or tampered with without detection, ensuring that what is stored and accessed remains unmodified and correct from the moment it is created until it is properly disposed of. This aspect is crucial for trust in data, as any unauthorized modifications can compromise the validity and reliability of the information.

In contrast, the other options touch on different principles of information security. Access control pertains to who can interact with the data, ensuring that only authorized users are able to access it. Availability ensures that information is accessible to users when needed, which is a separate concern from maintaining data integrity. User authentication focuses on verifying the identity of users before granting access, which contributes to security but does not directly address the integrity of the data itself.