Which operation involves the allocation of access permissions to users?

Provisioning involves the allocation of access permissions to users. This process encompasses creating user accounts and assigning the necessary access rights and permissions required for those users to perform their roles within an organization. Through provisioning, administrators ensure that each individual has the appropriate level of access to resources, applications, and data, aligned with the principle of least privilege. This step is critical in managing identity and access effectively, as it allows for control over who can access what information and when.

In contrast, authentication refers to verifying a user's identity, typically through credentials like passwords or biometric data, rather than managing access permissions. Verification closely relates to confirming that a user's presented credentials are legitimate; it does not involve granting access rights. Decommissioning is the process of removing access or deactivating user accounts once they are no longer needed, which is the opposite of provisioning, as it focuses on withdrawing permissions rather than allocating them.