Who is considered the subject in an access control context?

In the context of access control, the subject refers to the entity that attempts to gain access to a resource or system. This can include individuals, processes, or devices that request permission to interact with system resources, such as files, databases, or applications. Since subjects seek to perform actions that require authorization, they are central to access control mechanisms.

When considering this definition, it becomes clear why the correct answer identifies the individual or entity seeking access. The focus in access control systems is to determine whether or not this subject has the appropriate permissions and credentials to interact with the requested resource.

The other options describe different aspects of access control without identifying the subject itself. For instance, an administrator granting access operates within the access control framework but is not the one directly raising the access request. The data being accessed is the target or object of the access control, not the one seeking access. Similarly, a resource requesting authentication is a part of the technical process but does not represent the entity that desires to access the resource. Thus, the role of the subject is crucial, as it is their permission that is being evaluated in access control processes.