Based on scenario 2, which information security principle is the IT team aiming to ensure by establishing a user authentication process that requires user identification and password when accessing sensitive information?

Scenario 2: Beauty is a cosmetics company that has recently switched to an e-commerce model, leaving the traditional retail. The top management has decided to build their own custom platform in-house and outsource the payment process to an external provider operating online payments systems that support online money transfers.

Due to this transformation of the business model, a number of security controls were implemented based on the identified threats and vulnerabilities associated to critical assets. To protect customers’ information. Beauty’s employees had to sign a confidentiality agreement. In addition, the company reviewed all user access rights so that only authorized personnel can have access to sensitive files and drafted a new segregation of duties chart.

However, the transition was difficult for the IT team, who had to deal with a security incident not long after transitioning to the e commerce model. After investigating the incident, the team concluded that due to the out-of-date anti-malware software, an attacker gamed access to their files and exposed customers’ information, including their names and home addresses.

The IT team decided to stop using the old anti-malware software and install a new one which would automatically remove malicious code in case of similar incidents. The new software was installed in every workstation within the company. After installing the new software, the team updated it with the latest malware definitions and enabled the automatic update feature to keep it up to date at all times. Additionally, they established an authentication process that requires a user identification and password when accessing sensitive information.

In addition, Beauty conducted a number of information security awareness sessions for the IT team and other employees that have access to confidential information in order to raise awareness on the importance of system and network security.

Based on scenario 2, which information security principle is the IT team aiming to ensure by establishing a user authentication process that requires user identification and password when accessing sensitive information?
A . Integrity
B . Confidentiality
C . Availability

Answer: B

Explanation:

Confidentiality is one of the three information security principles, along with integrity and availability, that form the CIA triad. Confidentiality means protecting information from unauthorized access or disclosure, and ensuring that only those who are authorized to view or use it can do so. Confidentiality is essential for preserving the privacy and trust of the information owners, such as customers, employees, or business partners.

The IT team of Beauty is aiming to ensure confidentiality by establishing a user authentication process that requires user identification and password when accessing sensitive information. User authentication is a security control that verifies the identity and credentials of the users who attempt to access a system or network, and grants or denies them access based on their authorization level. User authentication helps to prevent unauthorized users, such as hackers, competitors, or malicious insiders, from accessing confidential information that they are not supposed to see or use. User authentication also helps to create an audit trail that records who accessed what information and when, which can be useful for accountability and compliance purposes.

Reference:

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Lead Implementer Course Guide1

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Lead Implementer Info Kit2

ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Information Security Management Systems – Requirements3

ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Code of Practice for Information Security Controls

What is Information Security | Policy, Principles & Threats | Imperva1

What is information security? Definition, principles, and jobs2

What is Information Security? Principles, Types – KnowledgeHut3