What is the purpose of "audit trails" in electronic access control?

The purpose of "audit trails" in electronic access control is to maintain a record of access activity. This includes detailed logs of who accessed which areas, at what times, and the duration of their access. Such records are crucial for security assessments and incident investigations, as they allow organizations to track and analyze access patterns, identify unauthorized access attempts, and ensure compliance with security policies and regulations. By maintaining a comprehensive record, audit trails help organizations improve their security posture, facilitate accountability among users, and provide insights into potential vulnerabilities in the access control system. This practice is fundamental in ensuring that electronic access control systems contribute effectively to an organization's overall security strategy.