Which of the following must remain confidential to achieve cybersecurity goals?

To achieve cybersecurity goals, it is essential to maintain the confidentiality of private or sensitive data and information. This includes any data that, if disclosed, could result in harm to individuals, organizations, or the broader system. Maintaining confidentiality helps to protect against unauthorized access and data breaches, which can lead to identity theft, financial loss, or reputational damage.

Private or sensitive information often includes personal identifiable information (PII), financial records, health information, and proprietary business data. Ensuring that this type of data is kept confidential is critical in building trust with clients and stakeholders, adhering to legal and regulatory requirements (such as GDPR or HIPAA), and safeguarding intellectual property.

In contrast, public domain information does not require confidentiality since it is already available to the public. Similarly, while system performance metrics and employee attendance records may require protection to some extent, they do not carry the same level of sensitivity or potential impact on privacy as private or sensitive data. Therefore, the correct focus for maintaining confidentiality in the context of cybersecurity is on private or sensitive information.