Detection controls are primarily designed to:

Detection controls play a crucial role in network defense by focusing specifically on identifying and alerting security personnel about unauthorized access attempts or security breaches. These controls are designed to monitor systems, networks, and applications to discover potential threats or malicious activities in real-time.

This ability to detect issues as they happen enables a quicker response to incidents, minimizing the impact on systems and sensitive information. For instance, an intrusion detection system (IDS) monitors network traffic and can flag suspicious activities, helping organizations quickly investigate and mitigate threats.

Other options, while important in the broader context of cybersecurity, do not align with the primary objective of detection controls. Preventing security breaches involves a different set of controls aimed at stopping threats before they can cause harm. Providing user awareness training focuses on educating users about security practices, and documenting administrative procedures relates to establishing processes rather than detecting incidents. Hence, identifying unauthorized access attempts encapsulates the essence of what detection controls are meant to achieve in a network defense strategy.