What is the primary term used for controlling entry to ensure only authorized personnel can access a location?

The primary term used for controlling entry and ensuring that only authorized personnel can access a location is access control. This system encompasses various methods and technologies designed to restrict or grant access based on established criteria. Access control can include physical barriers like locks, personnel identification systems, and electronic access systems, as well as administrative policies that dictate who is authorized to enter specific areas.

Understanding access control is crucial for maintaining security in any environment, as it helps prevent unauthorized entry and protects both personnel and sensitive information. The other options, while related to security, do not encapsulate the broad range of mechanisms and policies involved in regulating who can enter a facility. Security clearance refers specifically to the level of clearance assigned to individuals that grants them access to certain information or areas, while entrance regulation and visitor management describe more specific processes within the broader access control framework.