CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate — Question 44

What is the difference between AAA authentication and authorization?

Answer options

• A. Authentication identifies and verifies a user who is attempting to access a system, and authorization controls the tasks the user performs.
• B. Authentication controls the system processes a user accesses, and authorization logs the activities the user initiates.
• C. Authentication verifies a username and password, and authorization handles the communication between the authentication agent and the user database.
• D. Authentication identifies a user who is attempting to access a system, and authorization validates the user's password.

Correct answer: A

Explanation

The correct answer is A because authentication is the process of confirming the identity of a user, while authorization determines what an authenticated user is allowed to do within the system. Options B, C, and D misrepresent the roles of authentication and authorization, confusing their functions and responsibilities.