Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

Which of the following is not a technology supporting identity management for accessing computer networks?

1. Audit trails.

2. Biometrics.

3. Digital certificates.

4. Network protocols.

The correct answer is: Audit trails.

Audit trails are essential for monitoring and reviewing access and activities in computer systems, but they do not directly support identity management in the access control process. Instead, they serve a different purpose by providing a record of actions taken within the system, which can be used for security analysis and compliance verification after the fact. In contrast, biometrics, digital certificates, and network protocols are various technologies that actively facilitate identity management. Biometrics involve the use of physical characteristics, such as fingerprints or facial recognition, to verify an individual's identity. Digital certificates are electronic credentials that authenticate the identity of users, devices, or systems within a network and establish secure communications. Network protocols define the rules and procedures for data transmission over a network but can also include elements related to authentication and authorization, enhancing identity management. Therefore, audit trails are not classified as a technology specifically aimed at supporting identity management; they play a supportive role in security monitoring instead.