Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Practice Exam 2026 – All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Certification!

The primary goal of confidentiality in an information system is to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. Confidentiality ensures that data is only accessible to individuals who have the right permissions and authority. This is crucial for protecting personal, financial, and other sensitive information from being disclosed to unintended parties, which could lead to identity theft, data breaches, and other serious security incidents.

Maintaining confidentiality is accomplished through measures such as encryption, access controls, and authentication mechanisms. These controls help ensure that only authorized users can view or manipulate sensitive data, thereby safeguarding it from exposure or misuse.

In contrast, the other choices focus on aspects that do not align with the purpose of confidentiality. Accessibility pertains to users being able to reach the data, transparency involves openness and visibility into operations which is contrary to keeping information confidential, and availability emphasizes ensuring systems are operational and accessible rather than the protection of data itself.