What does the term "availability" refer to in the context of DSAC Annex B?

In the context of DSAC Annex B, "availability" refers specifically to the guarantee that authorized users can access information when needed. This concept emphasizes the importance of ensuring that data and systems are operational and accessible to users who are permitted to use them, which is critical for maintaining productivity and operational continuity within an organization.

Maintaining availability means implementing measures that prevent downtime and ensuring that resources are ready for use whenever they are called upon. This can include various strategies such as redundancy, failover mechanisms, and effective incident response plans that help ensure that data remains accessible despite potential disruptions.

While data privacy, backup and recovery, and security protocols are all essential aspects of a comprehensive data security strategy, they do not directly define availability in the way that ensuring user access does. Thus, the focus on providing authorized users with timely access to information underlines the central aspect of availability in this context.