Which of the following best describes a compliance assessment?

A compliance assessment is primarily focused on evaluating whether systems and processes align with established standards, regulations, or internal security policies. The aim is to ensure that an organization is meeting specific security and compliance requirements, which may include regulatory mandates or best practice frameworks. This process involves identifying gaps, measuring adherence to policies, and ensuring that all necessary controls are in place to protect sensitive data and maintain operational integrity.

In contrast, checking system performance metrics relates to the efficiency and functioning of technology rather than compliance with security policies. Monitoring user activities on an endpoint is about tracking behaviors or actions for security purposes, which does not inherently assess compliance with policies. Similarly, reviewing incident response times focuses specifically on the effectiveness of incident management rather than the broader compliance landscape. Thus, option C accurately captures the essence of what a compliance assessment entails within the context of security policies and practices.