Which term refers to the policies and procedures that restrict access to software and data files?

The correct term that refers to the policies and procedures that restrict access to software and data files is logical access controls. These controls play a vital role in cybersecurity by determining who is allowed to access specific resources and what actions they can perform on those resources. Logical access controls include user authentication mechanisms such as passwords, biometrics, and access control lists, which govern permissions based on user roles or attributes.

Implementing strong logical access controls helps organizations mitigate risks related to unauthorized access, data breaches, and insider threats, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive information.

While physical security measures focus on protecting physical assets such as servers and data centers, data encryption methodologies deal with securing data by converting it into a coded format to protect its confidentiality during transmission or storage. Network performance enhancements, on the other hand, relate to optimizing the efficiency and speed of network operations rather than controlling access to software and data. This context highlights the specific focus of logical access controls on access management within information systems.