What does the validation of a user’s claimed identity refer to in cybersecurity?

The validation of a user’s claimed identity in cybersecurity is best defined as authentication. Authentication is the process that ensures that individuals are who they claim to be. This typically involves verifying the credentials of a user, such as passwords, biometric data, or security tokens, to confirm their identity before granting access to systems or data.

In contrast, authorization entails determining what an authenticated user is allowed to do, such as accessing certain resources or executing specific commands. Accounting involves tracking user activity, such as logging access and usage of systems, while auditing refers to reviewing this collected data to evaluate compliance and security practices. Thus, authentication specifically focuses on the initial step of validating identity, making it the correct answer in this context.