Which term describes rules or laws enforced by an authority to regulate conduct?

The term that describes rules or laws enforced by an authority to regulate conduct is "Regulation." Regulations are specific rules established by governmental bodies or authorized institutions that dictate how individuals or organizations must behave in certain situations. They serve to protect public interests, ensure safety, maintain order, and uphold ethical standards within various sectors, including cybersecurity.

Regulation often involves detailed frameworks that must be adhered to by organizations, particularly in areas like data protection, financial transactions, environmental practices, and workplace safety. Entities that fail to follow these regulations may face penalties, fines, or other legal sanctions. This makes their role critical in enforcing standards and ensuring compliance among those they govern.

In contrast, while governance refers broadly to the structures and systems that direct and control an organization, compliance relates to the process of adhering to established guidelines or regulations. Policy represents a guiding principle or a plan of action, but it does not necessarily have the authoritative enforcement associated with regulations. Thus, "regulation" is the most accurate term for the definition given in the question.