What does AAA stand for in network security?

• A. Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting
• B. Authentication, Authorization, and Access
• C. Authorization, Authentication, and Accreditation
• D. Access, Authentication, and Accounting

Answer: (A)

In network security, AAA stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting. This framework controls access to resources in a structured way. Authentication verifies who you are. Once identity is confirmed, Authorization decides what you’re allowed to do—your permissions and access levels. Accounting keeps a log of your activities, such as sessions and resource usage, for auditing, monitoring, and chargeback purposes. Centralized AAA services (like RADIUS or TACACS+) manage these functions across devices, VPNs, and wireless networks. The other options mix terms that aren’t part of the standard trio (for example, using Access instead of Accounting, or substituting Accreditation), so they don’t align with the established acronym and purpose.