Software code signing is used as a method of verifying the integrity of the software code. Integrity is the security concept that ensures that the data or code is not modified, corrupted, or tampered with by unauthorized parties. Software code signing is the process of attaching a digital signature to the software code, which is generated by applying a cryptographic hash function to the code and encrypting the hash value with the private key of the software developer or publisher. The digital signature can be verified by the software user or recipient by decrypting the signature with the public key of the developer or publisher and comparing the hash value with the hash value of the code.
B. Confidentiality is not the security concept that software code signing is used to verify, but rather the security concept that ensures that the data or code is not disclosed or accessed by unauthorized parties. Software code signing does not provide confidentiality, as the code is not encrypted and can be read by anyone who has the code.
C. Availability is not the security concept that software code signing is used to verify, but rather the security concept that ensures that the data or code is accessible and usable by authorized parties when needed. Software code signing does not provide availability, as the code can still be deleted, damaged, or blocked by other factors.
D. Access control is not the security concept that software code signing is used to verify, but rather the security concept that ensures that the data or code is accessed and used only by authorized parties according to the defined policies and rules. Software code signing does not provide access control, as the code can still be accessed or used by anyone who has the code and the public key of the developer or publisher.
References: CISSP All-in-One Exam Guide, Eighth Edition, Chapter 4, page 207; Official (ISC)2 CISSP CBK Reference, Fifth Edition, Chapter 4, page 174
