What ensures accountability when updating data in a production database?

Selecting the review of audit logs as the correct answer highlights the importance of tracking and documenting modifications made in a production database. Audit logs serve as a detailed record of all changes, including who made the changes, when they were made, and what specific alterations were performed. This level of documentation is crucial for ensuring accountability, as it allows organizations to trace actions back to individuals and verify compliance with established policies.

The review of audit logs fosters a culture of transparency, enabling oversight of database interactions and identifying any unauthorized or unintended changes. In the event of discrepancies or issues arising from changes, audit logs provide a reliable source of information for investigation and accountability.

While other options — such as implementing the principle of least privilege, having an approved validation plan, and segregation of duties — all contribute valuable aspects to security and operational integrity, they do not specifically ensure accountability in the same direct manner that audit logs do. The principle of least privilege focuses on limiting user access to the minimum necessary to perform their duties, which helps in reducing the risk of unauthorized changes but does not track actions. An approved validation plan ensures that updates are accurate and tested but does not monitor who performed them. Segregation of duties helps prevent fraud and errors by distributing responsibilities, yet it does not record