Which of the following options is categorized as an application-level control to prevent unauthorized access or modification of data?

The selection of application security as the correct answer highlights its role in safeguarding applications from unauthorized access and potential data modifications. Application-level controls specifically focus on the measures implemented within the software itself to ensure that only authorized users can interact with sensitive data, preventing unauthorized modifications or access.

Application security encompasses a range of practices, including coding standards, validation of user inputs, and access control mechanisms that are integrated into the application during its design and development phase. These controls help to ensure the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data processed by the application, thus making them a fundamental aspect of cybersecurity focused specifically on applications.

Network security, while crucial for protecting the overall infrastructure, primarily deals with safeguarding networks and preventing external threats rather than focusing directly on application-level safeguards. Data classification refers to organizing data based on its sensitivity and importance, which is important for data management but does not directly prevent unauthorized access or modification. Multifactor authentication, although a strong method of verifying users, is more about user authentication rather than being an application-specific control.