Which of the following is used by Microsoft for auditing to identify past actions performed by users on an object?

The correct answer is SACL, which stands for System Access Control List. SACL is specifically designed for auditing purposes in the Windows operating system. It allows administrators to configure what actions by users or groups on specific objects (such as files, directories, or registry keys) should be logged in the security event log.

When a SACL is applied to an object, it defines which types of access attempts (such as successful or failed logins) should be tracked. By setting up a SACL, an organization can monitor user activities and maintain a record of the actions performed on important resources, which is essential for compliance and security auditing. This provides a clear trail of accountability and helps in identifying any security incidents or policy violations by enabling detailed logs of user interaction with objects.

The other options, while related to security and permissions management, serve different purposes. Permissions are about controlling access to resources, user rights define what tasks users can perform at a broad system level, and DACL is used to determine who has access to an object but does not log actions. These functions do not directly pertain to the auditing capabilities that SACL provides.