Which control is focused on restricting user access to sensitive data?

Access control is a vital mechanism in information security that serves the specific purpose of managing and restricting user access to sensitive data and systems. It ensures that only authorized users can gain entry to certain information, thus protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of that sensitive data.

This control works through various methods, such as authentication (verifying the identity of a user) and authorization (granting permissions based on user credentials). For example, a company may implement access control measures like user IDs and passwords, role-based access permissions, or even biometric scans to ensure that employees can only access the information necessary for their job functions.

The focus on restricting user access underscores how essential it is to prevent unauthorized users from accessing confidential information, thus helping organizations mitigate risks associated with data breaches and ensuring compliance with regulations concerning data protection.

Input controls, output controls, and processing controls serve different functions within information systems. Input controls focus on ensuring that data entered into a system is accurate and complete. Output controls deal with the accuracy and dissemination of processed data, while processing controls ensure that data is processed correctly and as intended. These controls, while crucial for overall system integrity and data accuracy, do not specifically address the needs of restricting access to sensitive data as access control does.