What does connectionless integrity ensure in data communications?

Connectionless integrity in data communications specifically pertains to the assurance that data has not been altered or modified during its transmission. This concept is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the data, as it ensures that the information received is exactly what was sent, without any unauthorized changes or tampering along the way.

When data is transmitted over a network where connectionless protocols are used (like UDP), there is typically no established connection or guaranteed delivery. Therefore, connectionless integrity mechanisms, such as cryptographic checksums or hash functions, help verify that the data remains intact and unmodified during its journey across the network. By checking the integrity of the data upon reception, one can confirm that it has not been compromised or altered.

The other options focus on different aspects of data communication. Interception refers to the confidentiality of data, which is not the primary concern of connectionless integrity. Ensuring that data arrives in the same order as sent relates to data sequencing, which is not guaranteed by connectionless protocols. Finally, data encryption pertains to the confidentiality and security of data, rather than its integrity during transmission.