Which of the following is a software program that tracks every access to data in the computer system?

The correct answer is a software program that tracks every access to data in the computer system is known as an audit trail. An audit trail serves as a detailed record that logs user activities, including access times, changes made, and the identity of users who accessed specific data. This is crucial for maintaining data integrity and security, as it allows organizations to monitor data usage, investigate discrepancies, and ensure compliance with regulations.

Such tracking is essential in healthcare settings, where patient data privacy is paramount. An audit trail can help organizations fulfill legal requirements and safeguard against unauthorized access and data breaches, making it an important tool for maintaining trust in healthcare data management.

In contrast, access control refers to mechanisms that restrict who can view or use resources in a computing environment, but it does not track those accesses. Edit checks are validations applied to ensure that data entered into the system meets specific criteria or formats, while risk assessment involves evaluating potential risks but does not involve tracking data access directly.