What is policy enforcement?

Policy enforcement is a technology and practice aimed at ensuring that systems, applications, and users comply with predefined security policies and regulations. It involves defining rules that govern access, usage, and behavior, and then implementing mechanisms to automatically monitor and enforce these rules. Common uses include access control, data loss prevention, network segmentation, and application security. Enforcement can be achieved through various tools and techniques, such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, identity and access management solutions, and security information and event management (SIEM) systems. The primary goal is to minimize risk, prevent unauthorized activity, and maintain a secure and compliant environment.