Question

Difficulty: MediumAuthentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA)

An organization is updating its enterprise access control policy to comply with strict security standards. Match each operational security task to the corresponding AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) or Identification function it represents.

  • A network access server validates a user's digital certificate and smart card PIN against the central identity provider during domain logon.Authentication
  • A database gateway checks an enterprise role matrix to permit read-only query execution on financial records.Authorization
  • A centralized syslog server records administrative session timestamps, executed PowerShell commands, and egress data volume.Accounting
  • A web portal prompts an incoming visitor to enter their unique username before initiating any credentials verification.Identification

Answer

Task 1 maps to Authentication; Task 2 maps to Authorization; Task 3 maps to Accounting; Task 4 maps to Identification.
Each task directly corresponds to a fundamental identity and AAA principle: entering a username claims an identity (Identification); checking certificates and PINs verifies that claim (Authentication); evaluating role-based query permissions determines access rights (Authorization); and recording command execution and timestamps provides accountability and auditability (Accounting).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze Task 1
The process of verifying proof of identity (smart card PIN and certificate) corresponds to Authentication.
Authentication is the verification of a claimed identity using credentials.
2
Analyze Task 2
Determining what actions or data access a verified identity is allowed to perform corresponds to Authorization.
Authorization enforces access control permissions and privilege limitations.
3
Analyze Task 3
Logging actions, command usage, and session metrics for auditability corresponds to Accounting.
Accounting focuses on tracking resource utilization and maintaining audit trails.
4
Analyze Task 4
Providing a unique identifier (username) to claim an identity corresponds to Identification.
Identification is the initial statement of who a user or system claims to be.

Key Concept

Core Pillars of Identification, Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA)
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