What is the main goal of file integrity monitoring?

File integrity monitoring primarily aims to validate the integrity of operating system and application software files. This process involves establishing a baseline of known-good file attributes, such as hashes, timestamps, and permissions. By continuously monitoring these files for unauthorized changes or alterations, organizations can detect potential security breaches or malware infections promptly.

Ensuring the integrity of files is crucial in maintaining the security posture of an environment, particularly in industrial settings where systems must operate reliably and securely. Any unexpected changes could indicate suspicious activity, warranting further investigation to protect critical systems.

The other options, while relevant to data management and security, do not align with the core goal of file integrity monitoring. Encrypting sensitive files focuses on protecting data confidentiality rather than monitoring integrity, backing up important data is about data recovery rather than assessing current file conditions, and removing outdated software pertains to system maintenance rather than monitoring for changes in file integrity.