________ means that the data on a system is the same as the data from the original source. It has not been altered.

• A. Integrity
• B. Availability
• C. Confidentiality
• D. Nonrepudiation

Answer: (A)

Data integrity means that the data on a system is the same as the data from the original source and has not been altered. In other words, the information remains accurate, complete, and trustworthy from creation to retrieval. In healthcare, preserving integrity is critical because even small changes can affect patient safety, diagnoses, or treatment decisions. Mechanisms like checksums, cryptographic hashes, digital signatures, and detailed audit logs help detect and prevent unauthorized modifications. By contrast, availability focuses on access to data when needed, confidentiality protects against unauthorized disclosure, and nonrepudiation provides evidence of data origin and accountability.