What process is primarily used to verify a user's identity?

Authentication is the process primarily used to verify a user's identity. It involves confirming that the individual attempting to access a system or resource is indeed who they claim to be. This is typically achieved through methods such as passwords, biometric data (like fingerprints or facial recognition), security tokens, or other forms of identification that validate a user's credentials.

This is essential in maintaining security within systems, as it ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive information or perform specific actions. Without robust authentication methods, systems would be vulnerable to unauthorized access and potential security breaches, compromising user data and overall system integrity.

Other options, while related to information security, do not serve the primary function of identity verification. For example, encryption is used to secure data by converting it into a coded format that can only be read by someone with the correct decryption key, but it does not verify who the user is. Integration involves connecting different systems or applications to work together efficiently, and segmentation refers to dividing a network into smaller, manageable parts to improve performance and security.