Which control requires assets to be barcoded and secured?

Which control requires assets to be barcoded and secured?

• A. Board approval
• B. Order by tender from approved suppliers
• C. Assets barcoded and secured
• D. Ownership records stored securely

Answer: (C)

Focusing on safeguarding and tracking physical assets is the key idea here. When assets are barcoded, each item gets a unique identifier that links to the asset register, making it easy to record acquisitions, locations, custodians, and status. Securing assets means placing them in controlled, access-limited areas to prevent loss or misappropriation and to ensure that custody is properly managed. Together, barcoding and securing assets support accurate inventories, simplify reconciliation between the physical count and the asset ledger, and create an audit trail showing where assets are and who is responsible for them. This is a specific control for asset protection and inventory management, unlike governance or procurement-focused controls. The other options relate to approval, sourcing, or records handling, but do not explicitly require barcoding and secure storage of physical assets.

Focusing on safeguarding and tracking physical assets is the key idea here. When assets are barcoded, each item gets a unique identifier that links to the asset register, making it easy to record acquisitions, locations, custodians, and status. Securing assets means placing them in controlled, access-limited areas to prevent loss or misappropriation and to ensure that custody is properly managed. Together, barcoding and securing assets support accurate inventories, simplify reconciliation between the physical count and the asset ledger, and create an audit trail showing where assets are and who is responsible for them. This is a specific control for asset protection and inventory management, unlike governance or procurement-focused controls. The other options relate to approval, sourcing, or records handling, but do not explicitly require barcoding and secure storage of physical assets.