Definition
Data Integrity is the property that data remains complete and correct and has not been changed in an unauthorised or unintended way.
Human Explanation
Integrity means data can be trusted because it has not been corrupted or modified without appropriate authorisation.
Why it Matters
Decisions based on incorrect or altered data may have serious operational, financial and legal consequences.
Conceptual Boundary
Integrity does not mean confidentiality or availability. It is a separate pillar of information security.
Practical Perspective
Protecting integrity requires both preventing unauthorised changes and detecting every unwanted modification.
In regulated environments, ALCOA+ principles help assess whether data remains trustworthy as Evidence throughout its lifecycle. ALCOA+ is a framework for applying integrity principles, not a synonym for Data Integrity.