Which of the following statements is true regarding device authentication?

The statement that device authentication verifies the device rather than the user is correct. Device authentication is a security process that focuses on confirming the identity of a device trying to access a network or service. This process typically involves validating hardware identifiers, digital certificates, or device attributes, ensuring that the device itself meets the security policies of the network.

By concentrating on the device, this method can help prevent unauthorized access from rogue devices, regardless of who the user is. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that only trusted devices can connect to sensitive resources, thereby enhancing overall security posture.

This approach allows organizations to implement policies that protect their networks, such as restricting access to only devices that meet specific criteria, regardless of the user credentials supplied. This is particularly important in environments where multiple users may access the network from various devices.

While other options may seem feasible, they do not accurately represent the primary intent of device authentication. For instance, requiring a password typically falls under user authentication rather than device authentication. Limiting device authentication to only mobile devices is inaccurate, as it applies to various types of devices. Lastly, the notion that device authentication can be bypassed by software tools undermines the security measures in place, which are designed to address such vulnerabilities.