What is the purpose of ensuring data integrity?

Ensuring data integrity is fundamentally about guaranteeing the accuracy and consistency of data throughout its lifecycle. When data integrity is maintained, it means that the data has not been altered or corrupted in unauthorized ways, thereby reflecting the true values intended at the time of data entry or storage. This is crucial for reliable analysis, decision-making, and reporting because if data is inaccurate or inconsistent, it can lead to incorrect conclusions and actions.

For example, in a business context, if sales figures are manipulated or entered incorrectly, any predictions made based on that data could mislead the organization in terms of performance evaluation or market strategy. Therefore, the focus on accuracy and consistency directly impacts the overall quality and trustworthiness of the data, making it pivotal for organizations to implement measures that uphold data integrity.