What does TLS stand for in network security?

TLS stands for Transport Layer Security, which is a widely adopted security protocol designed to provide secure communication over a computer network. It is primarily used to secure communications between web browsers and servers, ensuring that data in transit is encrypted to protect it from eavesdropping and tampering.

Transport Layer Security evolved from the earlier protocol called SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and provides improved security features, including encryption, authentication, and integrity verification. TLS works by establishing a secure connection using a handshake mechanism that verifies the identities of the parties involved and negotiates encryption algorithms and keys.

The other choices do not accurately represent the established terminology used in network security. For instance, Transport Link Security and Trusted Layer Security are not recognized protocols in the context of network security, while Transmission Layer Security is a misnomer. Understanding these terms and their definitions is crucial for anyone working in network security, as TLS is integral to ensuring safe online communication.