Which of the following describes software security controls?

Software security controls specifically refer to applications and measures that are designed to protect data from unauthorized access, breaches, or other threats. These controls include various software-based mechanisms such as encryption, authentication protocols, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems. By focusing on applications that safeguard data, software security controls ensure that the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the data are maintained.

While options such as physical barriers, policies related to user access, and regular auditing are all pertinent to broader security practices, they do not specifically represent the concept of software security controls. Physical barriers, for instance, are hardware-related measures, user access policies govern how individuals interact with the data, and auditing involves reviewing and assessing data for compliance and integrity but does not directly involve the ongoing protection mechanism like software-based solutions do. Thus, the core of software security controls lies in their function as protective applications specifically aimed at mitigating risks associated with data vulnerabilities.