What is the act of preventing an intruder from accessing a target called?

The act of preventing an intruder from accessing a target is called "Deny." This term specifically refers to measures taken to stop unauthorized persons from gaining access to a protected asset, area, or information. In security practices, denial is critical because it directly impacts the effectiveness of a security system by ensuring that access is restricted to only those who are authorized.

To achieve denial, security measures can include physical barriers, access control systems, or security personnel who are trained to stop intruders from entering specific locations. This proactive approach to security is essential in both physical and cybersecurity contexts, where maintaining the integrity and safety of sensitive areas is paramount.

The other options—deter, detect, and delay—while relevant to security strategies, do not specifically encapsulate the act of preventing access. "Deter" involves discouraging intruders from attempting to breach security, "detect" focuses on identifying potential breaches or threats, and "delay" pertains to slowing down an intruder's progress to allow for a response, rather than outright prevention. Therefore, the term that best describes the action of stopping an intruder from accessing a target is "Deny."