Authentication is best defined as?

Authentication is best defined as the act of verifying identity. In the context of cybersecurity, authentication is essential to ensure that individuals or systems are who they claim to be. This process typically involves methods such as passwords, biometrics, or security tokens, and it is the first step in granting access to resources, applications, or systems.

By accurately verifying identity, organizations can protect against unauthorized access, thereby enhancing the overall security posture. Understanding the nuances of authentication is crucial, as it forms the backbone of many security protocols and systems, ensuring that only legitimate users can interact with sensitive data and applications.

The other choices relate to different aspects of cybersecurity; for instance, protecting sensitive data is about securing information from unauthorized access or breaches, encrypting information is a method to safeguard data in transit or at rest, and establishing access controls involves setting permissions for users based on their verified identities. While these concepts are interconnected and vital to overall cybersecurity strategies, they do not encapsulate the primary function of authentication itself.