Which of the following statements about audit trails is true?

Audit trails are a crucial component of data management and security. The statement that they help in monitoring changes made to the dataset is correct because audit trails systematically track and record any modifications or actions taken on data. This includes logging the who, what, when, and how of each change, which provides transparency and accountability in data handling.

This capability is essential for organizations that need to comply with regulatory standards, maintain data integrity, and facilitate troubleshooting by allowing users to review the history of data manipulations. By analyzing the information within audit trails, analysts can easily identify unauthorized changes, assess the impact of modifications, and ensure that the data remains accurate and reliable over time.

The other statements fail to reflect the true nature and purpose of audit trails; for instance, the claim that they are not necessary for modern databases overlooks their importance in maintaining security and compliance. Additionally, the idea that only database administrators can access audit trails is inaccurate since they are often made available to other stakeholders depending on the organization's policies. Lastly, stating that audit trails eliminate the need for data cleaning is misleading, as data cleaning is still a necessary process to ensure the quality and accuracy of data, regardless of audit capabilities.