What role does error handling and access control play in ensuring the security of PHP applications that involve user authentication?

Error handling is crucial in ensuring the security of PHP applications involving user authentication because it helps prevent sensitive information from being leaked to potential attackers. Access control, on the other hand, ensures that only authorized users can access certain parts of the application, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

// Error handling
ini_set('display_errors', 'Off');
ini_set('log_errors', 'On');
ini_set('error_log', '/path/to/error.log');

// Access control
if(!isset($_SESSION['user_id'])) {
    header("Location: login.php");
    exit();
}