🛡️ Free practice test question from: Network Security Auth (Security+)

The primary purpose of network security authentication is to verify the identities of users or devices attempting to access the network, ensuring that only authorized entities are granted access. This verification often involves multiple layers of security to enhance protection.

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A) To establish cryptographic trust relationships through certificate validation and public key infrastructure: This describes Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and certificate authorities, which are used for encryption and digital signatures, not primarily for verifying identity for access control.

C) To manage digital signatures and hash-based message authentication codes (HMAC) for data integrity: This is about ensuring data hasn't been tampered with (integrity) and confirming the origin of the data (non-repudiation), not primarily about verifying the user trying to gain access.  

D) To implement challenge-response protocols and credential verification through trusted directory services: This is a method used within authentication (like Kerberos).