Which of the following protocols aids in authentication and authorization on networks?

• A. P2P
• B. WPA2
• C. 802.1X
• D. WEP

Answer: (C)

The protocol that aids in authentication and authorization on networks is 802.1X. This standard is particularly important in network security as it provides a mechanism to authenticate devices trying to access a network. It operates as part of the IEEE's network access control framework, enabling authentication for both wired and wireless networks.

When a device connects to the network, 802.1X uses an authentication server (often with the RADIUS protocol) to verify the identity of the device before providing network access. This is crucial for ensuring that only authorized users and devices can utilize network resources, protecting against unauthorized access and potential security breaches.

In contrast, the other protocols mentioned do not perform the same level of authentication and authorization. For instance, P2P (peer-to-peer) typically refers to a networking model rather than a security feature. WPA2 is a security protocol that provides data encryption for wireless networks, but it does not deal with authentication at the same granular level as 802.1X. WEP, while it was an early wireless security protocol, has significant weaknesses and does not provide effective authentication. Thus, 802.1X is the most suitable protocol for ensuring robust network authentication and authorization.