What is the primary function of IPSec?

The primary function of IPSec is to encrypt and authenticate packets. IPSec is a suite of protocols used to secure Internet Protocol (IP) communications by protecting and authenticating IP packets. It provides confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of the data being transmitted.

When data is sent over a network, it can be vulnerable to interception and tampering. IPSec uses cryptographic techniques to encrypt the data, making it unreadable to unauthorized users. Additionally, it authenticates the data to ensure that it has not been altered during transmission and that it comes from a verified source. This makes IPSec essential for creating secure virtual private networks (VPNs) and for protecting sensitive information as it traverses potentially insecure networks such as the Internet.

While assigning IP addresses, monitoring network traffic, and managing user access are important network functions, they do not pertain to the core capabilities of IPSec, which focuses specifically on the security of IP communications.