What is the main function of the Kerberos protocol?

The main function of the Kerberos protocol is to provide secure authentication for users and services in a network. Kerberos achieves this through a system of tickets that are used to prove the identity of users and services while ensuring that sensitive credentials, such as passwords, are not transmitted over the network. This is essential for maintaining security in client-server environments, where users need to safely prove their identity to access resources or services without fear of eavesdropping or tampering.

Kerberos employs a trusted third-party authentication service, known as the Key Distribution Center (KDC), which issues tickets that contain encrypted information. The use of tickets helps to streamline the authentication process, allowing users to access multiple services without needing to enter their credentials multiple times.

In contrast to the other options, providing internet access to devices does not relate to Kerberos, which is focused solely on authentication. Improving network performance is not the purpose of Kerberos; rather, its operations may introduce some overhead due to the additional authentication steps. While monitoring and logging network activity might be relevant for maintaining security and compliance, such functions are not the core focus of the Kerberos protocol. Overall, the primary goal is to securely authenticate users and services, ensuring a protected network environment.