What does an AS do in the context of Kerberos?

In the context of Kerberos, an AS, or Authentication Server, plays a pivotal role in managing access control and user authentication within the network. Specifically, it is responsible for issuing initial tickets to users when they attempt to access services on the network.

The correct answer highlights that the AS authorizes the principal, which represents a user or a service requesting access. When a user requests access, the AS verifies the user's credentials against its database and, once authenticated, it connects the authenticated principal to the Ticket Granting Service (TGS). The TGS is then responsible for issuing service tickets that allow the authenticated user to request access to specific services on the network.

This process is essential for establishing trust and security within the Kerberos framework, ensuring that only authenticated users can obtain service tickets for further access. While other components, such as the TGS and the concept of encryption for data security, play critical roles in network security, the AS’s function in connecting and authorizing users with the TGS is central to the Kerberos authentication process.