"Data integrity" seeks to ensure the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of data stored in databases. It involves maintaining the correctness of data during its lifecycle, from creation and storage to retrieval and processing. Data integrity is critical for decision-making, as unreliable data can lead to errors and poor outcomes. Mechanisms like validation rules, constraints, and checksums are employed to enforce data integrity. Maintaining high data integrity protects against corruption, unauthorized access, and other threats that could compromise the value and usability of stored information.