The CIA Triad: Foundation of Security

At the core of web security lies the CIA triad—Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability. Confidentiality ensures that sensitive information remains private, like keeping your medical records away from prying eyes. Integrity guarantees that data hasn't been tampered with, similar to how a sealed envelope shows a letter hasn't been opened. Availability ensures legitimate users can access the application when needed, like keeping a store open during business hours while still maintaining security.

These principles interconnect in complex ways. For example, encrypting data protects confidentiality but might impact availability if the encryption process slows down the application. Security professionals constantly balance these competing demands, seeking solutions that maintain all three principles without sacrificing user experience or functionality.