What is the primary goal of cybersecurity?

The primary goal of cybersecurity is to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data, often referred to as the CIA triad. This triad represents the fundamental principles of not just information security but also the broader field of cybersecurity.

Integrity ensures that data is accurate and reliable, protecting it from unauthorized modifications. Confidentiality refers to safeguarding sensitive information from unauthorized access, ensuring that only those with the right permissions can access it. Availability ensures that data and resources are accessible to authorized users when needed, minimizing downtime and service interruptions.

By focusing on these three principles, cybersecurity aims to create a secure environment where data can be protected against various threats, such as breaches, data loss, and cyberattacks. Regular updates, optimizing network performance, and eliminating threats, while important, are all supporting activities that contribute to upholding these primary goals but do not encapsulate the essential objectives of the cybersecurity field itself.