What term describes validating an entity's or individual's unique credentials?

What term describes validating an entity's or individual's unique credentials?

• A. Authorization
• B. Identification
• C. Accounting
• D. Authentication

Answer: (D)

Authentication is the process of proving an identity by validating the credentials the entity presents. It relies on something you know (like a password), something you have (a token or smart card), or something you are (a biometric). By checking these credentials against a trusted source, the system confirms who you claim to be before granting access. This step comes before authorization, which determines what resources you can access, and before accounting, which logs actions for auditing. Identification would be merely presenting an identity without verification, whereas authentication provides the proof needed to trust that identity.

Authentication is the process of proving an identity by validating the credentials the entity presents. It relies on something you know (like a password), something you have (a token or smart card), or something you are (a biometric). By checking these credentials against a trusted source, the system confirms who you claim to be before granting access. This step comes before authorization, which determines what resources you can access, and before accounting, which logs actions for auditing. Identification would be merely presenting an identity without verification, whereas authentication provides the proof needed to trust that identity.