What process is involved in confirming the identity of a user accessing a network?

The process involved in confirming the identity of a user accessing a network is authentication. Authentication ensures that a user is who they claim to be and often involves verifying a combination of credentials, such as passwords, tokens, or biometrics. This process is fundamental in network security, as it establishes trust and restricts access to authorized users only.

In contrast, decryption refers to the process of converting encrypted data back into its original form and does not relate to user identity verification. Footprinting is a reconnaissance technique used to gather information about a target network or system and again does not involve user authentication. Identification is the process by which a user asserts their identity, but it must be followed by authentication to verify that the assertion is valid. Thus, the correct choice reflects the critical step in securing access to networks and systems.