Which security control will secure a web-based credit monitoring service and protect credit information of consumers in compliance with FCRA requirements?

Access controls are crucial for securing a web-based credit monitoring service due to their role in regulating who can view or manipulate sensitive information, such as consumers' credit data. Implementing robust access controls involves defining user permissions, ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive credit information, and creating logins that help track who accessed data and when. This not only protects consumer information but also helps maintain compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which mandates safeguards for handling credit data to prevent unauthorized access and disclosure.

While penetration testing, input validation, and secure coding practices are also important elements of a comprehensive security strategy, they do not specifically focus on the fundamental need to manage and restrict access to sensitive consumer information. Penetration testing is more about identifying vulnerabilities in a system, input validation helps prevent data injection attacks, and secure coding practices reduce the likelihood of introducing vulnerabilities during development. However, without robust access controls in place, even the most secure application can be at risk, as unauthorized users could still gain access to sensitive data, leading to potential FCRA violations.