Final answer:
An access control list (ACL) is used by a computer OS to manage permissions for system objects like files.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to an access control list (ACL), which is a table that tells a computer operating system which access rights each user has to a particular system object, such as a file directory or individual file. In many computer systems, the owner of an object has certain rights to manage the access of that object.
The default permission often allows the owner to read the file they created. However, additional permissions must be explicitly provided for the owner to perform other actions, such as writing (modifying) or executing the file, if the system's access control policy is restrictive.
For instance, in a Unix-like operating system, the file creator can be granted 'read', 'write', and 'execute' permissions, but the actual permissions set can depend on the umask setting of the system or the user's preferences. If the access control list is configured to allow only read permission by default, the owner needs to change the permissions (if they have the authority to do so) to perform write or execute actions.
In scenarios where stricter security controls are required, such as within certain businesses or in highly regulated industries, an access control list ensures that only authorized individuals have appropriate access levels, retaining data integrity and privacy.
Owners usually have read access by default and must be granted additional permissions to write or execute. Access control lists provide crucial data integrity and privacy in secure environments.