What does the process of verification in authentication involve?

The process of verification in authentication primarily involves checking a user's credentials to confirm their identity. In this context, verifying a user's password against a database is a critical step. When a user attempts to log in, the system retrieves the hashed version of the password stored in the database and compares it with the hash of the password the user has entered. If they match, access is granted; if not, it denies entry. This process is fundamental in ensuring that only authorized users gain access to sensitive information or systems.

The other choices focus on different aspects of security and management. Assigning permissions based on roles pertains more to access control and identity management rather than the initial authentication verification process. Encrypting sensitive information deals with protecting data confidentiality and does not directly contribute to verifying a user's identity. Similarly, creating backup copies of user data is related to data protection and recovery rather than the verification aspect of authentication. Thus, the primary focus of verification in authentication is indeed the matching of user credentials, making the correct choice the one discussing the process of checking a user's password against a database.