What do authentication and authorization ensure in a security environment?

Authentication and authorization are critical components of security frameworks in any environment. Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or system, while authorization determines what an authenticated user is allowed to do or access within a system.

In this context, the correct answer highlights that only privileged users access the system or resources. This is a crucial aspect because once a user has been authenticated, the authorization process ensures that they are granted access only to the resources and functionalities that their role or privilege level permits. This prevents unauthorized access and mitigates the risk of data breaches or malicious actions by ensuring that sensitive information and system functions are securely handled by individuals with the proper clearance.

The other options do not accurately reflect the combined purpose of authentication and authorization. For instance, while secured network access is important, authentication and authorization focus more on user permissions than on network status. Similarly, regular system backups and data encryption in transit relate to data protection strategies but do not pertain directly to user access and permissions governed by authentication and authorization processes.