Home › Technology › Cybersecurity & Privacy › confidentiality

confidentiality

kon-fih-den-shee-AL-uh-tee /ˌkɒnfɪˌdɛnʃiˈæləti/

nounC1GRETOEFLIELTS

formaltechnical

The state of keeping or being kept secret or private. In cybersecurity, ensuring data is only accessible to authorized parties.

Confidentiality is one of the three pillars of information security (CIA triad: Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability). It's about protecting sensitive information from unauthorized disclosure.

The story behind the word. The word 'confidentiality' comes from the Latin 'confidentia,' meaning 'trust' or 'reliance,' which itself stems from 'confidere,' meaning 'to trust.' When information is confidential, it's entrusted to a select few, with the expectation that it will be kept secret. It's built on a foundation of trust, ensuring that sensitive details are shared only with those authorized to see them, just like a trusted friend keeps a secret.

Word relationships

secrecy: The state of being kept secret; can imply intentional hiding.
privacy: Broader concept of control over personal information; confidentiality is about specific data.

disclosure: The action of making new or secret information known.
publicity: The state of being widely known or observed.

Commonly confused with

privacy: Confidentiality is about protecting specific information from unauthorized disclosure, often under an agreement. Privacy is a broader right to control personal information.

Word family

confidential (adjective): Intended to be kept secret.
confidentially (adverb): In a confidential manner.

Collocations

data confidentiality
maintain confidentiality
breach confidentiality
confidentiality agreement
patient confidentiality

Example sentences

"All employees signed a non-disclosure agreement to ensure the confidentiality of company trade secrets." A legal agreement.
"Patient medical records are protected by strict rules of confidentiality." Healthcare regulations.
"Strong encryption and access controls are vital for maintaining data confidentiality." Cybersecurity best practices.

Memory hook

To keep something 'CONFIDENTIAL' means to keep it with 'CONFIDENCE' and trust, not for public display. Trust Secret

When not to use

Do not confuse 'confidentiality' with 'privacy.' Confidentiality is about protecting specific information from disclosure, often under an agreement. Privacy is a broader right to control personal information.

Fun facts

The 'CIA triad' (Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability) is a foundational model for information security policies.
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are legal contracts designed to enforce confidentiality.

Related words

privacy, encryption, data protection

Explore more words

confidant, confide, proprietary, disclosure, secluded

Also appears in

Health Sciences → Medical Ethics & Bioethics