What is "access control"?

Access control refers to the mechanisms that restrict access to information and resources based on established policies. This is a fundamental principle in information security, aimed at ensuring that only authorized individuals can access specific data or resources, thereby minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and potential abuse.

The implementation of access control fits into the broader context of information security management by establishing the rules that dictate who can view or utilize resources on a network or in an organization. Access controls can be applied at various levels, including physical access to facilities, system access through user accounts, and application-level controls.

In a well-designed access control system, policies are typically informed by the concept of least privilege, where users receive the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job functions, thus limiting exposure to sensitive information and reducing the attack surface.

Other answers pertain to aspects surrounding access control but do not define it directly. For instance, tracking user activity relates to monitoring and auditing but does not inherently govern how access is controlled. The determination of user permissions and roles involves configuration and can fall under access control processes, but it is not the complete definition. Similarly, encryption is a critical security measure but serves a different purpose related to protecting data rather than controlling access to it.