What aspect of network security does authentication focus on?

Authentication is a fundamental aspect of network security that focuses on verifying the identity of users or devices attempting to access network resources. Its primary purpose is to ensure that only authorized individuals or systems can gain access to sensitive information and services. By confirming that the party requesting access is indeed who they claim to be, authentication helps prevent unauthorized access and potential data breaches.

In the context of network security, robust authentication mechanisms, such as passwords, biometrics, or multi-factor authentication, play a critical role in protecting the network from intrusions and ensuring that users can securely communicate and access resources. This is essential for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the data transmitted across the network.

Other options relate to different aspects of network management. Optimizing network performance involves enhancing the efficiency and speed of network operations, managing network topology deals with the configuration of the physical and logical layout of the network, and monitoring bandwidth usage pertains to overseeing the amount of data being transmitted across the network for performance management. However, these areas do not directly address the crucial function of verifying identities, which is the core focus of authentication.