Information Assurance (IA) is the confidence that information systems will protect the information they hold and will function as they need to, when they need to, under the control of legitimate users.

"Information is a critical asset to any organisation or individual, as such it should be safeguarded."

From the Information Security and Assurance (IS&A) unit,
UK Government Cabinet Office

"Information assurance (IA) is the practice of managing risks related to the use, processing, storage, and transmission of information or data and the systems and processes used for those purpose."

From Wikipedia

To view the CESG report: ‘Information Assurance in a Cost Cutting Climate' including 10 ways in which good IA can help organisations cut costs, click here.