Certified Information Systems Auditor Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Master Your CISA Certification!

Data integrity in the context of an IT audit refers to the accuracy and consistency of data throughout its lifecycle. This concept is crucial because it ensures that the information remains reliable and trustworthy, from the moment it is created, stored, processed, and eventually archived or deleted. When data integrity is maintained, organizations can make informed decisions based on accurate information, which is essential for business operations, compliance with regulations, and overall organizational effectiveness.

Maintaining data integrity involves implementing controls and processes to prevent unauthorized access, alteration, or corruption of data. Regular audits and checks are also necessary to validate that data continues to meet quality standards. Consequently, when an organization focuses on data integrity, it strengthens its information governance practices and minimizes risks associated with data breaches or inaccurate reporting.

Other choices address different aspects of data management and security. For instance, the recovery of data after loss pertains to data backup and disaster recovery strategies, while the speed of data processing relates to performance optimization in IT systems and the method of data encryption focuses on securing data confidentiality. While these elements are important, they do not directly define the concept of data integrity, making the definition centered on accuracy and consistency the most appropriate choice in this context.