Which control type focuses on preventing unauthorized access through authentication?

Preventive controls are designed to thwart unauthorized access before it occurs, primarily through mechanisms like authentication. By requiring users to provide specific credentials, such as passwords or biometric scans, preventive controls ensure that only authorized individuals gain entry to systems or data. This proactive approach reduces the risk of security breaches by establishing barriers that must be successfully navigated to access sensitive information resources.

The focus of preventive controls includes establishing user identity and confirming that they have the appropriate permissions to access particular resources. Other types of controls, like corrective or responsive controls, are intended to address security incidents after they happen, while detective controls are meant to identify and report security violations after they have occurred. Thus, the emphasis of preventive controls directly aligns with the goal of preventing unauthorized access through authentication, making it the correct choice in this context.