Identity and access management (IAM) is a security discipline that ensures which of the following?

The correct choice highlights the fundamental purpose of identity and access management (IAM). IAM is designed to ensure that the right individuals have access to the appropriate resources at the correct time and for legitimate reasons. This encapsulates the essence of access control, which involves verifying user identities and ensuring that their access aligns with the organizational policies and regulations.

The concept of having the right individual means that IAM includes multiple mechanisms such as authentication (verifying who the user is), authorization (determining what the user can do), and accountability (tracking user activity). The focus on "for the right reasons" emphasizes that access should be granted in accordance with organizational policies and the specific needs of users based on their roles within the organization. This principle is vital as it helps mitigate security risks, uphold data integrity, and ensure compliance with regulations.

While other choices address certain aspects of security, they do not capture the full scope of IAM’s objectives. For example, simply stating that all users are properly authorized or authenticated does not encompass the complete process of managing identity and access within an organization effectively. The distinction of having relevant permissions and justifications for access is what makes the correct answer comprehensive in defining the purpose of IAM.