Which term refers to the management of individuals who are allowed access to a controlled area?

Access Control is the term that refers to the management of individuals who are allowed access to a controlled area. It encompasses the policies, procedures, and technologies used to determine who can enter a particular space, manage permissions, and monitor those who access the area. Access control is crucial in security management, ensuring that only authorized personnel can enter sensitive or restricted locations, thereby protecting assets, information, and ensuring safety.

The significance of access control lies in its ability to prevent unauthorized entry, which can mitigate risks related to theft, vandalism, and other security breaches. It can involve various methods, such as ID cards, biometric scans, or security personnel to verify identity and authorization.

The other options, while related to security, serve distinct functions. Visitor screening focuses specifically on assessing visitors when they arrive, typically involving identification and purpose verification. Credential verification is the process of confirming the authenticity of a person’s credentials before granting access, which is a component of the broader access control system. The authorization process refers to determining an individual's rights to access specific areas or information, which is a crucial step within access control but does not encompass the entire management aspect as effectively as access control itself does.