Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Certification!

The Ticket Granting Service (TGS) plays a crucial role in the Kerberos authentication protocol, specifically in managing access to network services. After a user successfully authenticates with the Authentication Server (AS), the TGS issues tickets that enable the user to access various services on the network without needing to re-enter credentials for each service.

When a user wants to access a service, they present their ticket from the TGS along with an authenticator that proves their identity. The TGS checks the validity of the ticket and, if valid, issues a service ticket that allows the user to access the requested service. This mechanism enhances security by utilizing time-stamped tickets and reduces the risk of credential theft, as users do not continually transmit their passwords.

The other options do not align with the primary functions of the TGS. It does not encrypt user credentials; instead, encryption is used in various parts of the authentication process to protect ticket contents. Monitoring network traffic is typically the function of network security devices and software, such as intrusion detection systems. Issuing user passwords is also outside the TGS's scope; password management pertains to the initial user authentication and is managed by other components of the authentication framework. Thus, the TGS's primary responsibility is indeed