Which process is most effective in reducing the risk of unauthorized software being distributed to a production server?

The most effective process for reducing the risk of unauthorized software being distributed to a production server is to review changes in the software version control system. This method provides a structured and systematic approach to software development and deployment by tracking all changes made to the codebase. The version control system records every modification, including who made the changes, what was altered, and when the changes took place. This transparency significantly mitigates risks, as it allows for thorough auditing and accountability.

By leveraging this process, organizations can ensure that only approved and thoroughly reviewed code is deployed to production servers. Any unauthorized or malicious changes can be detected and addressed before deployment, thereby enhancing the security of the software supply chain. Additionally, version control systems often include approval mechanisms, which can further reinforce the security measures in place.

In contrast, manually copying files lacks oversight and logging, making it difficult to track unauthorized changes. Ensuring that developers do not have access to the backup server may not effectively address the problem of unauthorized software distribution, as it does not control how software is developed or deployed. Reviewing access control logs is useful for monitoring actions taken on a system, but it does not proactively prevent unauthorized software from being introduced into the production environment. Therefore, relying on version control is the most comprehensive