Which component aims to ensure compliance with external requirements as part of MEA objectives?

The correct response focuses on "managed assurance," which plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with external regulations and standards. This component of monitoring and evaluation (MEA) objectives is designed to verify that an organization's processes, systems, and controls meet legal, regulatory, and industry-specific requirements.

Managed assurance encompasses a range of activities, including risk assessments, internal audits, and compliance checks. By implementing managed assurance, an organization can systematically evaluate its adherence to external requirements, thereby safeguarding against legal penalties, enhancing trust with stakeholders, and promoting overall operational integrity.

In contrast, other components like managed service requests, managed availability, and managed continuity do not directly address compliance in the same manner. Managed service requests deal primarily with handling user requests and incident management. Managed availability focuses on ensuring systems and services are consistently operational and accessible. Managed continuity revolves around the ability to maintain business functions in the face of disruptions, emphasizing resilience rather than regulatory compliance.

Thus, managed assurance is distinct in its primary goal of ensuring that the organization meets all necessary compliance criteria, making it the appropriate choice for fulfilling this aspect of MEA objectives.