Which SSAE audit focuses on ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and availability?

The correct response is based on the focus of the SOC 2 audit, which specifically addresses the Trust Services Criteria, including data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. SOC 2 audits are geared towards service organizations that handle data and need to prove that they are managing customer data securely to protect the interests of the organization and the privacy of its clients.

SOC 2 includes detailed requirements on the design and effectiveness of controls related to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. This means that organizations undergoing a SOC 2 audit need to have established protocols and procedures in place that ensure that data is not only protected from unauthorized access but that it also maintains its accuracy and is accessible when needed.

In contrast, other audit types like SOC 1 focus primarily on internal controls over financial reporting, while SOC 3 is a general use report that provides less detail than SOC 2, often used for marketing purposes. SOC 4 does not exist as a recognized category within the SSAE framework. Hence, the specificity of SOC 2 in addressing the essential elements of data protection makes it the correct answer in relation to ensuring data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.