How can access to information in a computer system be monitored?

Monitoring access to information in a computer system is crucial for maintaining security and ensuring compliance with regulations. An audit trail serves this purpose effectively as it provides a detailed record of who accessed the system, what information was accessed, and when the access occurred. By maintaining these logs, organizations can track user activity, identify unauthorized access attempts, and ensure accountability among users. This record-keeping is essential for audits, investigations, and compliance with privacy legislation.

While other options contribute to overall system security, they do not specifically provide the comprehensive tracking of access activity like an audit trail does. For instance, biometric devices enhance security through identification but do not document access logs. Access and disclosure reports summarize information usage but lack the detailed transactional insight of an audit trail. Authentication mechanisms ensure that users are who they claim to be, but they do not monitor ongoing access once users are in the system. Hence, an audit trail is the most effective and direct method for monitoring access to information in a computer system.