Which action is essential for maintaining security while allowing access to Azure resources?

Implementing role-based access control (RBAC) is a vital action for maintaining security while providing access to Azure resources. RBAC allows organizations to assign specific permissions to users, groups, and applications at different levels of the Azure environment, such as the subscription, resource group, or individual resource level. By defining roles and responsibilities, organizations can ensure that users have the least privilege necessary to perform their tasks. This minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

RBAC not only enhances security by restricting access based on user roles but also improves operational efficiency as it helps in managing user permissions effectively. It aligns with the principle of least privilege, whereby users are granted only the access rights they need, thus reducing the attack surface and improving overall security posture in an Azure environment.

In contrast, enabling public access for all users can expose resources to potential threats and vulnerabilities. Regularly rotating encryption keys is indeed a best practice for protecting sensitive data, but it does not directly control access to resources. Disabling network security groups (NSGs) would weaken network security by removing important access controls, which can lead to unauthorized access or exposure of resources. Thus, while other options might contribute to security in other ways, implementing role-based access control is essential for