Integrity
Information you can trust.
Make sure that the information you use, create or share is accurate, clear and reliable.
Why?
Accurate information is essential for making well-informed decisions. By critically evaluating sources, checking information before you use or share it, and communicating clearly, you can help reduce the spread of inaccurate information and counter information influence.
This helps protect Sweden and Swedish interests and contributes to a safer world.
What is integrity?
In SS-EN ISO/IEC 27000:2020, the term is defined as follows:
Integrity: property of accuracy and completeness.property of accuracy and completeness
In Swedish information security terminology (SIS-TR 50), integrity is defined as protection against unwanted modification.
What should I keep in mind?
- Critically evaluate the sources of information.
- Only share information that you consider accurate and reliable.
- Make sure that information you are responsible for is accurate, up to date and complete.
- Use plain language to make information easy to understand.
- Check spelling, names, dates, figures and links before publishing or sharing information.
How do I do this?
When using information
- Critically evaluate the sources of information.
- Always ask yourself: Who is saying what – and for what purpose?
Who?
Consider who is behind the information.
- Who is the sender?
- What context does the sender operate in?
- Can you find the original source?
- Does the sender have relevant expertise?
- Does the source seem credible?
What?
Examine the content.
- Are sources provided, and can they be checked?
- Is the information consistent with other credible sources?
- Is the information consistent with what you already know?
What purpose?
Consider why the information was published.
- What does the sender want to achieve?
- Is the content based on facts or opinions?
- Is it presented objectively or subjectively?
- Is the purpose to inform, influence, promote or entertain?
When creating information
Before publishing or sharing information:
- check that facts, names, dates, figures and links are correct;
- correct any spelling and typing errors;
- avoid ambiguous references and unclear wording;
- use plain language with short, clear sentences;
- make sure the information is up to date and complete.
Four aspects of digital source criticism
NE describes four important aspects of digital source criticism:
Norms
Make it a habit to cite your sources, whether the information is spoken or written, and be able to explain why a source is relevant.
Knowledge
Build your knowledge of facts and sources. Learn to distinguish between different types of sources and senders, such as public authorities and alternative media. Source criticism is not only about questioning sources, but also about recognising which sources can be trusted.
Understanding
Learn to distinguish facts from opinions and emotions. Be aware of factors such as confirmation bias, selective perception, media gatekeeping, fact resistance and filter bubbles. Consider how your own choices affect the information you encounter and how algorithms can reinforce these patterns.
Methods
Ask critical questions to evaluate sources, including what, how, why and when. Develop methods for analysing and evaluating digital information.
Read more:
Further reading
The following literature and publications provide more in-depth information on source criticism, information influence and information security.
- Ecker, U., Roozenbeek, J., van der Linden, S., Tay, L. Q., Cook, J.,
Oreskes, N., & Lewandowsky, S. (2024). Misinformation poses a
bigger threat to democracy than you might think. Nature, 630
(8015), 29–32.
https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01587-3 External link, opens in new window. - Kim, J., Yoon, A., Abbas, J., Sawyer, S. and Reynolds, R. (2025), Safeguarding Research Integrity: Information Science Journal Editors’ Perspectives. Proceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology, 62: 1250-1253.
https://doi-org.miman.bib.bth.se/10.1002/pra2.1376 - Stapleton, J. J. (2014). Security without obscurity: A guide to confidentiality, authentication, and integrity (1st ed.). Auerbach Publications.
https://doi.org/10.1201/b16885 External link, opens in new window.
Quick links
For students
- Digital Security Opens in new window.
- Guidelines for Theses Opens in new window.
- Searching, Reviewing, and Using Information - Course in Canvas External link, opens in new window.
For Employees
- Information Security at Inside External link, opens in new window.
(only in Swedish requires logging in to the employee portal)
External information from government agencies
- European Data Protection Board (EDBP) External link, opens in new window.
- European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) External link, opens in new window.
- Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection (IMY) External link, opens in new window.
- Swedish Civil Defense and Resilience Agency (MCF) External link, opens in new window. (formerly MSB)
- The Swedish Agency for Participation (MFD) External link, opens in new window.
- Agency for Digital Government (DIGG) External link, opens in new window.
- Psychological Defense Agency (MFP) External link, opens in new window.
Learn more
- Digital Information Security Training for Everyone (Disa) - MCF External link, opens in new window. (formerly MSB)
- Data Detox Kit External link, opens in new window.
- Source Criticism - MPF External link, opens in new window.
- Evaluation of Sources—Assessing the Credibility of Scolarly Sources—UMU External link, opens in new window.