Final answer:
Authentication is the process through which a user is verified and validated to access a computer network/system. Authorization, encryption, and firewalls are related concepts but are not specifically about the process of user verification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process through which a user is verified and validated to access a computer network/system is authentication. Authentication is the process of confirming the user's identity by requesting and verifying credentials such as a username and password. It helps ensure that the user is who they claim to be before granting access to the network/system.
Authorization, on the other hand, comes after authentication and determines the level of access the user has once they are authenticated. Encryption is the process of converting information into a code to prevent unauthorized access, and a firewall is a network security device that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.