In the context of access management, what does 'access' refer to?

Access, in the context of access management, fundamentally concerns the interaction between a subject (such as a user or system) and an object (such as data or resources). This concept highlights the importance of establishing who is allowed to interact with specific resources and how that interaction is governed.

Access management is primarily focused on ensuring that users have appropriate permissions to access the information and systems necessary for their roles while safeguarding sensitive data from unauthorized access. Therefore, understanding access as the flow of information between a subject and an object is crucial. It encompasses the mechanisms that control this flow, including authentication, authorization, and auditing processes, to ensure that only authorized entities can interact with protected resources.

The other options, while related to broader aspects of information security, do not directly define access in the context of access management. Storing user credentials, the physical security of computer hardware, and data encryption are all important elements of a comprehensive security strategy, but they do not capture the essence of access, which is primarily about the permissions and capabilities granted to users in relation to resources.