Which foundational requirement involves malicious code protection and input validation?

The foundational requirement that specifically addresses malicious code protection and input validation is indeed System Integrity (SI). This requirement focuses on ensuring that systems function correctly and as intended without unauthorized manipulation or corruption of data. Malicious code, such as viruses or malware, can undermine the integrity of a system by altering its operations or data.

Input validation is crucial in preventing attacks that exploit vulnerabilities in a system, such as injection attacks, where harmful data or code might be submitted. Effective input validation mechanisms help ensure that only acceptable data can enter the system, thus maintaining its overall integrity.

In the context of cybersecurity, protecting the system’s integrity means taking proactive measures against threats that could compromise data accuracy and trustworthiness, which aligns directly with the goals of malicious code protection and input validation. This requirement is essential in any secure system architecture and supports the foundation for other cybersecurity measures as well.