The confidentiality concept means preserving authorized restrictions on access and disclosure, including personal privacy and proprietary information. Which option best captures confidentiality?

• A. Confidentiality
• B. Availability
• C. Integrity
• D. Authentication

Answer: (A)

Confidentiality is about preserving authorized restrictions on access and disclosure, protecting personal privacy and proprietary information. In health information management, this means patient records are accessible only to people with a legitimate need and the proper authorization, and information isn’t shared without consent or a legal basis. This focus on who can see information and under what circumstances is what keeps sensitive data private and secure.

Availability, by contrast, is about making sure information is accessible when it’s needed—uptime and accessibility matter, not just who can see it. Integrity concerns the accuracy and trustworthiness of data, ensuring it hasn’t been altered improperly. Authentication deals with verifying someone’s identity before granting access, which is a mechanism that supports confidentiality but isn’t the concept itself. Because confidentiality centers on restricting access and controlling disclosures to protect privacy and sensitive data, itBest matches the described concept.