What does "access control" refer to in a computing environment?

Access control in a computing environment specifically refers to the techniques and policies that are used to regulate who or what can view or use resources in a computing environment. This can include systems that restrict access to programs, files, networks, and other resources based on various criteria, such as user identity, roles, permissions, and security policies.

This regulation is essential for protecting sensitive information and ensuring that only authorized individuals have access to particular resources, thereby minimizing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access. Access control mechanisms can encompass several methods, including authentication processes (like passwords or biometrics) and authorization frameworks that grant or deny permissions based on the user's role or context.

The other options reflect different aspects of data security and management but do not encapsulate the definition of access control. For instance, securing data against malware focuses on preventing malicious software from compromising systems, while encryption standards are specifically about transforming information into a secure format to prevent unauthorized access. Backup strategies are concerned with data recovery in case of loss or corruption and do not directly address who is allowed to access resources. Thus, the focus on regulating user access to resources distinctly identifies access control in the context of computing environments.