What is the Sarbanes-Oxley Act primarily concerned with?

• A. Network hardening standards
• B. Financial reporting and corporate governance
• C. Environmental compliance
• D. Software licensing

Answer: (B)

Financial reporting and corporate governance are the focus. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act was enacted to improve the accuracy and reliability of financial statements and to strengthen the governance and accountability of public companies. It emphasizes stronger internal controls over financial reporting, requires management to certify the effectiveness of those controls, and tightens rules around auditor independence. By doing so, it aims to deter fraud, increase transparency for investors, and hold executives responsible for the integrity of financial disclosures. Topics like network hardening, environmental compliance, or software licensing involve IT security practices, environmental laws, or licensing terms, which are not the primary aim of SOX.