What does the Reference Monitor do in network security?

The Reference Monitor is a critical component in network security, primarily responsible for enforcing access control policies. Its main function is to mediate all access requests to resources, ensuring that only authorized subjects can perform actions on specific objects. By imposing access control restrictions, the Reference Monitor acts as a gatekeeper, validating permissions before allowing any operation to proceed. This mechanism helps maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability within security frameworks.

Understanding the role of the Reference Monitor also highlights the importance of access control in preventing unauthorized access and potential security breaches. The other options do not align with the established functions of the Reference Monitor, which is specifically focused on access enforcement rather than monitoring network performance, encrypting data, or storing user information.