Which concept is essential for tracking activities on a network?

Auditing is a critical concept for tracking activities on a network because it involves systematically reviewing and logging the actions taken by users, systems, and applications. This process enhances the ability to monitor the network for security breaches, unauthorized access, and compliance with policies and regulations. Through auditing, organizations can create detailed records of what actions were taken, when, and by whom, which is crucial for both forensic analysis and maintaining the security posture of the network. Effective auditing helps identify potential security incidents in real time and provides a basis for improving overall security measures.

Access control, while important, primarily focuses on restricting and managing who can access certain resources rather than tracking those activities. Cryptography provides methods for securing data but does not inherently involve tracking activities on the network. Firewall management is concerned with controlling the flow of traffic based on predetermined security rules, rather than monitoring and recording the activities that occur within the network.