Which principle focuses on preventing unauthorized modification or destruction of data?

The principle that focuses on preventing unauthorized modification or destruction of data is integrity. In the context of information security, integrity ensures that data remains accurate, consistent, and trustworthy throughout its lifecycle. It protects data from being altered by unauthorized users, thus maintaining its reliability and correctness.

Integrity is a crucial aspect of information assurance, as it ensures that the information can be trusted by users and is not manipulated or corrupted. This principle is not just about keeping the data accurate but also about preventing any changes that could compromise the reliability of that information, whether accidental or intentional.

The other principles, while relevant to data protection, do not specifically address the focus on preventing unauthorized changes or destruction. Confidentiality is primarily concerned with ensuring that sensitive information is kept secret and only accessible to those authorized. Availability pertains to ensuring that data is accessible and usable when needed. Accountability relates to the processes that track who accessed or altered data, but it is not directly focused on preventing changes to the data itself. Thus, integrity distinctly addresses the protection of data from unauthorized modifications and ensures that it remains intact and unaltered.