What does the process of authentication verify?

The process of authentication primarily verifies the identity of a user, device, or system, ensuring that the entity attempting to access a resource is who or what it claims to be. This is a critical security measure in digital environments, as it helps prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information and systems. By confirming identities through methods such as passwords, biometrics, or tokens, authentication establishes a foundation for trust in digital interactions, which is vital for maintaining the security and integrity of data and systems.

While other aspects like security, data integrity, and resource availability are important, they are not the primary focus of authentication. Security measures encompass a broader range of protections, data integrity deals with ensuring information stays accurate and unaltered, and availability focuses on ensuring resources are accessible when needed. Authentication, specifically, is tasked with confirming identities to establish that the right parties are involved in access to networks and data.