What is a benefit of using application control in a network?

Using application control in a network primarily benefits organizations by managing application usage to improve network security. This function allows administrators to identify, monitor, and restrict access to specific applications based on their risk levels, usage patterns, and compliance requirements. Through effective application control, organizations can prevent the use of unauthorized or malicious applications that may threaten the security of their network.

For instance, by enabling or disabling certain applications based on the needs of the business and the security policies in place, organizations can significantly reduce their attack surface, improve their incident response capabilities, and ensure that users are only accessing applications that align with corporate guidelines. This active management helps to maintain both productivity and security within the network.

The other options do not accurately reflect the role of application control in a security context. While unrestricted application access is not typically a goal of application control, nor does it eliminate the need for user authentication, application control primarily focuses on security and governance rather than cost reduction.