What does Authentication in a database primarily involve?

Authentication in a database primarily involves verifying the identity of a user attempting to access the database. This process ensures that users are who they claim to be by checking their credentials, such as usernames and passwords. When a user tries to connect to the database, the authentication system checks this information against stored credentials. If the details match, the user is granted access, allowing them to interact with the database according to their roles and permissions.

The other choices relate to different aspects of database security and management. For example, assigning user roles and permissions is a function of authorization, which determines what authenticated users are allowed to do. Ensuring data integrity during transfers involves securing data against corruption as it moves across networks, which is separate from the identity verification process. Monitoring database performance metrics concerns the assessment of system performance and efficiency rather than user access. These distinctions clarify why authentication specifically pertains to validating user identities before granting access to the database.