Data Security and Integrity Processes

Section 1: Understanding Data Security

Data Security is the collective measures taken to prevent unauthorised access, use, alteration or destruction of computerised information.
This not only safeguards privacy but also ensures data integrity and availability.
Key components of data security include encryption, backing up, disaster recovery and access controls.

Section 2: Encryption Techniques

Encryption is a significant element of data security. It involves encoding data so that only authorised users can understand it.
There are two main types of encryption: symmetric encryption (where the same key is used to encrypt and decrypt data) and asymmetric encryption (where different keys are utilised for encryption and decryption).

Section 3: Data Backup and Recovery

Data backup is the process of making copies of data to protect against loss.
Frequent and regular backups can mitigate the impact of data loss.
Disaster recovery involves restoring the operations of an IT system, following a disaster.

Section 4: Access Control and Password Protection

Access control is a necessary component of data security that involves restricting the availability of resources to only those individuals who are authorised to use them.
Password protection is a straight-forward type of access control.
Strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and biometric systems can substantially enhance data security.

Section 5: Importance of Data Integrity

Data integrity is the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data over its life cycle.
Protecting data integrity ensures it remains unchanged from its original form during storage, retrieval, and transfer.
It is vital to establish effective checks and balances like error detection and correction methods to ensure data integrity.

Section 6: Methods for Ensuring Data Integrity

Methods for ensuring data integrity include input validation, database and disk journaling, checksum methods, and hashing.
Input validation involves verifying that data is accurate and appropriate before entry into a database.
Database and disk journaling record all changes made to a database or disk, which aids in recovery in case of a failure.
Checksums are mathematical algorithms used to check the integrity of transmitted data.
Hashing produces a unique value for a dataset. If this value changes, it indicates that the data have been tampered with, thereby signalling a loss of integrity.