Data governance terminology: in information systems, “data integrity” most directly refers to which property?

Introduction / Context:
Terminology in data governance can be confusing: security, privacy, integrity, and quality are related but distinct. On exams, “data integrity” typically emphasizes correctness and internal consistency—whether data remains accurate and uncorrupted throughout its lifecycle—rather than confidentiality or simplicity.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Integrity focuses on correctness and consistency of data values and relationships.
• Privacy refers to limiting access/usage of personal data.
• Security covers confidentiality, integrity, and availability broadly, but the integrity component is about validity.

Concept / Approach:
Data integrity means the data accurately reflects reality and adheres to constraints (referential integrity, domain integrity, and entity integrity). Mechanisms include constraints, transactions (ACID), checksums, and audit trails. Thus, among the options, “the validity of data” best captures the definition of integrity in information systems.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Database textbooks define integrity via constraints and transactions to preserve valid states, confirming this interpretation.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Simplicity: not a standard integrity attribute.
• Privacy: about lawful and ethical use/access, not correctness.
• Security: broader umbrella; integrity is a component but here we need the most direct definition.
• None: incorrect because a correct definition is provided.

Common Pitfalls:
Conflating confidentiality (who can see data) with integrity (is the data correct and unchanged except through authorized processes).

Final Answer:
the validity of data