Access control is a critical aspect of information security, governing who can access and perform actions on specific resources, systems, or data within an organization. It involves the implementation of policies, procedures, and technologies to ensure that only authorized individuals or entities can access, modify, or interact with sensitive information. Access control mechanisms include user authentication, authorization, and auditing. User authentication validates the identity of users, ensuring they are who they claim to be. Authorization, on the other hand, specifies the actions and resources that authenticated users can access. Auditing involves monitoring and recording access and activity to track potential security breaches and maintain accountability. Effective access control helps protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats, safeguarding the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information.