CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

What is the process of determining the identity of a user or device?

1. Authorization

2. Accounting

3. Authentication

4. Federation

The correct answer is: Authentication

The process of determining the identity of a user or device is known as authentication. In the context of security, authentication is a crucial step that ensures that a user or device is who they claim to be. This can be accomplished through various methods, including but not limited to passwords, biometrics, and security tokens. By verifying credentials—whether it's a username and password combination, a fingerprint scan, or a one-time code sent to a mobile device—authentication establishes a trust relationship, allowing systems to securely identify and manage access for users and devices. This process is foundational in cybersecurity, as it protects resources and sensitive data from unauthorized access. In contrast, authorization refers to the permissions granted to authenticated users, determining what resources they can access after their identity has been confirmed. Accounting deals with tracking user activity and resource usage, maintaining records of logins, and actions taken. Federation is related to the process in which multiple security domains are bridged, allowing users from one domain to access resources in another seamlessly, typically using a single set of credentials across federated systems.