Code integrity is the assurance that software or scripts running on a system are approved, untampered, and consistent with expected trust policy. It matters because systems are safer when they can distinguish authorized code from altered, malicious, or unapproved code before execution.
What is Code Integrity?
Code integrity can be enforced through signatures, allowlisting, trusted execution policies, kernel protections, or platform security features. It helps prevent tampering and reduce the risk of untrusted code silently running inside critical environments.
What Code Integrity Commonly Supports
Common uses include endpoint hardening, secure boot chains, application control, signed update enforcement, and protected enterprise execution environments.
Code Integrity vs. Unrestricted Code Execution
Code integrity focuses on whether code is authorized and untampered. Unrestricted execution allows far less control over what software runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is code integrity important?
Because malicious or altered code often becomes the mechanism attackers use to establish persistence and execute harmful actions.
Is code integrity the same as code quality?
No. It is about trustworthiness and tamper resistance, not whether the code is well designed or bug-free.
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