In the context of information security, what does integrity refer to?

Integrity in the context of information security refers to the assurance that information is accurate and trustworthy. This means that the data remains unaltered and reliable throughout its lifecycle. Ensuring data integrity involves implementing measures that prevent unauthorized modifications, thereby maintaining the original state of the information and ensuring that it can be trusted for decision-making and reporting.

The focus on accuracy and trustworthiness is crucial because it establishes a foundation for confidence in the data being used. For instance, if data integrity is compromised, users may make decisions based on incorrect information, leading to potentially harmful outcomes.

While the other options involve important aspects of information security, they do not directly define integrity. Protecting data from unauthorized access pertains to confidentiality, ensuring that systems remain operational relates to availability, and classifying data into levels is about data governance and management rather than integrity itself.