Which identity management process targets access to enterprise resources by ensuring that the identity of an entity is verified?

The correct choice involves a crucial process aimed at securing access to enterprise resources by verifying the identity of an individual or entity. This process is known as authentication, which serves as the first line of defense in identity management. When an entity attempts to access resources, authentication ensures that it is indeed who it claims to be, often through methods such as passwords, biometrics, or multi-factor authentication. This verification step is essential because it establishes a foundation of trust, allowing only legitimate users to access sensitive data or systems.

Provisioning relates to the processes of creating and managing user accounts and permissions within systems, but it does not inherently involve the verification of identity at the point of access. Federation allows different identity management systems to communicate and trust one another, but it is not focused on the verification process itself. Policy management pertains to the establishment of rules governing access and resource usage, rather than the direct action of verifying identities. Thus, authentication plays a critical role by directly addressing the verification aspect needed for controlling access to enterprise resources.