Understanding the Essentials: Five Cybersecurity Principles

With the increasing volume of data being shared online comes an increasing threat of cybercrime. Protecting online data from unwarranted users is critical to individuals and organizations alike. 

The demand for cybersecurity professionals skilled at protecting sensitive information from unauthorized users continues to grow, which is one of the reasons why cybersecurity can be a good career choice for many people. Cybersecurity professionals use various preemptive security measures that fall within the framework of certain cybersecurity principles to mitigate online risks and safeguard sensitive data. 

Those interested in pursuing a degree in information and cybersecurity technology may want to understand the essentials of data protection. Focusing on key cybersecurity principles is imperative to data safety. 

What Are Five Key Cybersecurity Principles? 

Cybersecurity principles serve as guidelines for network protection. Organizations and their information technology (IT) departments focus on these principles to ensure their information systems do not fall prey to malicious online users. 

Here are five main cybersecurity principles and common methods that organizations use to address the principles in their online infrastructure. 

1. Confidentiality

The cybersecurity principle of maintaining the confidentiality of certain types of data is crucial to network security. It helps ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive data within a network. Many industries focus heavily on protecting the confidentiality of their data. For example, medical organizations employ cybersecurity programs to keep their patients’ healthcare information private and protected.

Whatever industry a digital security expert is working in, understanding how to maintain data confidentiality is a crucial cybersecurity skill they need to have.  

Cybersecurity methods focused on confidentiality include:

• Encryption: Encryption scrambles data into an encoded version of itself, allowing only users with the decryption key to access the data.  
• Data classification: With this method, organizations classify their data based on its sensitivity. Categorizing data helps organizations safeguard various types of data appropriately. 
• Access controls: Access controls grant members within a network varying levels of access to organizational data. This control limits who can see highly sensitive data, which can be particularly beneficial in large organizations. 

2. Integrity

Protecting data from unauthorized alterations is crucial to a successful cybersecurity system. By maintaining the integrity of their data, organizations can ensure they are always utilizing accurate data.

Cybersecurity methods focused on integrity include:

• Data validation: Validating data involves cross-checking input data to confirm it meets defined criteria. Verifying that all data is aligned with the criteria is critical in fields that rely heavily on accurate data, such as finance.
• Digital signatures: A digital signature employs a mathematical algorithm that functions as a private key to verify the authenticity of the data.

3. Availability

While protecting data from unwarranted users is important, so is ensuring that authorized users have access to the data they need when they need it. Keeping data available has a huge impact on an organization’s workflow and reduces system downtime. 

Cybersecurity methods focused on availability include:

• Redundancy: This method of ensuring data remains available involves spreading one responsibility to various components within a security system to eliminate single points of failure within the infrastructure.  
• Regular maintenance: Routine system checkups allow IT professionals to identify and address any minor issues within a cybersecurity program before they become larger problems. 

4. Authentication

Authentication as a cybersecurity principle centers on identifying users before allowing them to access sensitive data. Authentication processes minimize the risk of unauthorized persons breaching private data.  

Cybersecurity methods focused on authentication include:

• Multifactor authentication: Multifactor authentication (MFA) prompts users to submit more than one form of verification before they can access information. For example, a user would need to provide a password and a unique passcode sent to a secondary user device before being allowed to access their system. 
• Single sign-on: Single sign-on (SSO) authentication allows users to log in to several applications with one set of login credentials.

5. Nonrepudiation

Nonrepudiation refers to techniques that prevent users from being able to deny their actions within a system, such as when they submit a transaction or a message. 

Cybersecurity methods focused on nonrepudiation include:

• Time-stamping: Blockchain technology securely records digital transactions, providing organizations with verifiable timelines of events. 
• Audit trails: Audit trails keep detailed logs of all users’ actions within a system. Organizations must properly maintain their audit trails for them to be beneficial.

Importance of Focusing on Cybersecurity Principles

Organizations that are guided by these cybersecurity principles benefit in a number of ways, from keeping their data safer to gaining the public’s trust.

Mitigation of Cybercrime

The most obvious advantage an organization gains by using these cybersecurity principles as a framework for their cybersecurity efforts is a lowered risk of cybercrime. The greater an organization’s online security, the less vulnerable it is to malware, phishing, and other cyber threats.  

Improved Industry Compliance

Industries have varying regulatory requirements surrounding cybersecurity and data protection. Focusing on these cybersecurity principles helps organizations remain compliant and avoid legal troubles.  

Cost and Time Savings

Astra reported that the average cost of cybercrime in the U.S. in 2024 was $27.37 million, while the total time spent resolving cybercrimes was estimated at 2.7 billion hours for the year. These statistics speak to the importance and value of employing preventive security measures. Mitigating the risk of data breaches in turn means mitigating the cost of potential legal fees, regulatory fines, and invaluable data loss. 

Enhanced Trust

Organizations with a rigorous cybersecurity program can put their customers and clients at ease knowing their data is safe and secure. Implementing sound network security practices also may provide a competitive advantage for some companies. A commitment to protecting their clients’ data can lead to more long-term engagement between organizations and their partners as well. Organizations with clear standards for their data protection may attract and retain more customers and clients than those that lack them.

Start Your Cybersecurity Career With East Carolina University®

As cyber threats against organizations’ networks increase, so does the need for vigilant cybersecurity professionals. For individuals interested in learning more about the cybersecurity principles described here and curious about how to break into the cybersecurity field , East Carolina University offers a comprehensive, beginner-friendly degree program that can lead to an impactful career in cybersecurity.

ECU’s online Bachelor of Science (BS) in Information and Cybersecurity Technology (ICT) program with a Cybersecurity concentration teaches cyber threat intelligence and risk management, cryptography and network security, legal issues in cybersecurity, and much more. 

Discover how you can jump-start your career in information and cybersecurity technology with a degree from ECU today.

Recommended Readings

Cybersecurity vs. Information Technology: What’s the Difference?

A Look at Cybersecurity Certifications: Options for Graduates

What Does a Cybersecurity Consultant Do?

Sources:

Astra, “90+ Cyber Crime Statistics 2025: Cost, Industries and Trends”

CATO Networks, “The Essential Network Security Principles for IT Leaders: Designing a Robust Security Program”

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Cybersecurity Best Practices

SentinelOne, “Top 10 Cyber Security Principles for Businesses”

6Clicks, “What Are the Five Basic Security Principles?”