What does authorization determine after a user authenticates?

Authorization refers to the process that determines what resources and actions a user is allowed to access after they have successfully authenticated their identity. Once a user provides their credentials and is verified, authorization takes over to assign the appropriate permissions and access rights based on the user's role or profile within the system.

The correct answer points to the role of authorization in establishing which specific resources—such as files, applications, systems, or services—a user can access and what actions they can perform, such as read, write, or execute. This is fundamental in cybersecurity as it helps ensure that users can only interact with the parts of a system they are entitled to, thereby protecting sensitive information and minimizing the risk of unauthorized activities.

In contrast, the other options focus on aspects unrelated to the specific permissions granted post-authentication. For example, a user’s financial background does not influence their system access, the method of data encryption pertains to data protection rather than user access, and the strength of a password is relevant solely during the authentication phase, not for the subsequent authorization process. Thus, understanding authorization as a mechanism for managing access rights helps clarify its vital role in cybersecurity.