What does data security primarily aim to protect against?

Data security is fundamentally focused on safeguarding information from unauthorized access and alteration. This involves implementing measures and protocols that ensure only authorized personnel can access sensitive data and that the integrity of that data is maintained. Protecting against unauthorized access mitigates the risk of sensitive information being viewed, stolen, modified, or deleted by individuals without proper authorization. This is critical in fields like oncology, where patient data is highly confidential and subject to strict regulations.

By prioritizing the prevention of unauthorized access and alterations, data security systems employ various tools such as encryption, access controls, and authentication mechanisms. These strategies help to ensure that data remains confidential and uncorrupted, which is vitally important for maintaining trust and compliance in healthcare environments.