What is meant by the term 'access control'?

The term 'access control' refers to the measures implemented to restrict and regulate who is allowed to enter certain areas or access specific resources. This can include using physical barriers such as locks and gates, as well as electronic systems like key cards, biometric scanners, and surveillance technologies. Access control is a fundamental aspect of security management, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access sensitive or restricted locations, thereby protecting assets and ensuring safety.

In contrast to the other options, which touch on different aspects of security and management, the focus of access control is explicitly about managing entry and safeguarding areas from unauthorized access. For instance, while preventing theft is an important goal for many security measures, it is broader than just access control, which specifically pertains to who is granted entry. Monitoring employee performance and increasing visitor numbers are also significant, but they do not relate to the concept of controlling access to places or information. Thus, recognizing the primary purpose of access control highlights its critical role in maintaining security and organizational integrity.