What does "audit trail" refer to?

An audit trail refers to a comprehensive record of all access events and actions within an access control system. This includes detailed logs of who accessed a particular area, when they did so, and what actions were taken during that access. The purpose of an audit trail is to provide accountability and transparency regarding access to physical or digital resources.

By maintaining an accurate and complete audit trail, organizations can track compliance with security policies, investigate security incidents, and establish a history of access that aids in understanding and improving overall security measures. An audit trail is vital for identifying unauthorized access attempts and ensuring that all interactions with the access control system are documented and available for review.

Other options do not capture the essence of an audit trail. For instance, a troubleshooting guide is more about resolving issues rather than tracking access history. A checklist for security requirements focuses on compliance measures rather than active monitoring of events. Finally, a report on system maintenance schedules relates to the technical upkeep of the system, which is separate from the function of recording access events.