iSACA Cybersecurity Fundamentals Certification Practice Exam

What does nonrepudiation refer to in cybersecurity?

1. Ensuring information is genuine

2. Ensuring data is encrypted

3. Protecting against unauthorized access

4. Preserving data integrity

The correct answer is: Ensuring information is genuine

Nonrepudiation in cybersecurity is a fundamental principle that ensures that a party in a communication or transaction cannot deny the authenticity of their signatures or the sending of messages. It is crucial for establishing accountability and trust in digital communications. By ensuring that information is genuine, nonrepudiation helps to confirm the identity of the sender and verifies that the transmitted information has not been altered in transit. This principle is typically achieved through cryptographic methods, such as digital signatures, which bind the identity of the sender to the message securely. This means that if a sender claims they did not send a message, the evidence provided by the digital signature can prove otherwise, thus eliminating any doubt about the authenticity of the information or action taken. Other choices, while related to aspects of cybersecurity, do not capture the specific essence of nonrepudiation. For instance, encryption is about protecting data confidentiality, and preserving data integrity focuses on maintaining the accuracy and completeness of data. Protecting against unauthorized access deals with ensuring only authorized entities have access to information. None of these aspects directly address the concept of ensuring that actions or communications cannot be denied after they have occurred.