What function ensures that data are accessed or modified only by authorized users?

The correct answer is data security. This function is specifically focused on protecting data from unauthorized access or modifications. Data security measures are designed to ensure that only individuals with the appropriate permissions can access or alter sensitive information. This includes implementing access controls, encryption, authentication protocols, and other safeguards to maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data.

In the context of healthcare data, protecting patient information is paramount. Effective data security practices help prevent data breaches and safeguard against unauthorized users who may attempt to compromise sensitive information.

Data integrity relates to the accuracy and consistency of data over its lifecycle. While important, it does not inherently involve restricting access to the data or ensuring that only authorized individuals can make changes.

Data governance encompasses the overall management of data availability, usability, integrity, and security. It includes frameworks and policies that govern how data is managed within an organization but is broader and not solely focused on ensuring access by authorized users.

Data stewardship involves the responsibility for managing data and ensuring that data is used properly and ethically. While stewardship plays a role in data management processes, it does not directly address the function of restricting access to data by authorized users.

Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why data security is the specific function that directly addresses access control to ensure that only authorized