Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of data integrity?

Data integrity refers to the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data throughout its lifecycle. A key aspect of data integrity is ensuring that data remains accurate and up-to-date, meaning any information stored within a system is both correct and reflective of the real-world situations it represents.

When considering the options provided, redundancy of data does not align with the principles of data integrity. While redundancy can sometimes be a part of data management strategies—such as in backup systems—it typically does not contribute to the integrity of data. In fact, excessive redundancy can lead to issues like data inconsistencies, where multiple versions of the same data might conflict with one another or create confusion about which version is the correct one.

In contrast, both accuracy and consistency are foundational characteristics of data integrity, as they ensure that data is reliable and trustworthy. Protection of data is also important since it involves safeguarding the data from unauthorized access and corruption, but it is still within the context of data integrity. Thus, redundancy stands out as not being a characteristic that supports or enhances data integrity.