What is one primary function of accounting in cybersecurity?

The primary function of accounting in cybersecurity is to track user activity and changes made to resources. This aspect of cybersecurity is crucial as it provides a detailed record of who accessed what information and when, as well as any alterations made to sensitive data or system configurations. By maintaining an accurate account of these actions, organizations can detect unauthorized access, monitor compliance with security policies, and investigate potential security incidents effectively. This auditing and tracking capability is essential for understanding behaviors within an IT environment and addressing security vulnerabilities promptly.

While limiting user access to sensitive data is related to authorization and authentication processes, and enforcing network security protocols pertains to protecting the network periphery, these functions do not encompass the comprehensive monitoring and logging aspect that accounting provides. Creating software updates, although important for maintaining security, does not directly relate to accounting functions either. Therefore, tracking user activity and modifications stands out as the definitive role of accounting in the context of cybersecurity.