Which of the following best describes the concept of data integrity?

Data integrity refers to the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data throughout its lifecycle. It encompasses various aspects related to ensuring that the data remains unchanged and is an accurate representation of what it is supposed to be. The concept means that the data has not been modified or corrupted in any way from its original state, ensuring that any changes to the data can be tracked and validated.

When data integrity is maintained, organizations can trust that the information they are using for decision-making and operations is sound. This is particularly important in fields where precise information is crucial, such as finance, healthcare, or any application involving legal records.

While encryption is important for protecting data from unauthorized access, it does not in itself ensure that the data remains unaltered. Reducing data redundancy focuses on eliminating unnecessary copies of the same data, which does enhance efficiency but does not inherently address whether the data's content is intact. Similarly, ensuring data accessibility is crucial for usability, but it does not guarantee that the data maintains its original form without corruption or modification. Therefore, verifying that data is original and unaltered is the best descriptor of data integrity among the given choices.