What does RADIUS primarily serve in a network environment?

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service) is primarily designed for user authentication and authorization within a network environment. It serves as a protocol that allows secure communication between a client and a server regarding credentials. When a user attempts to access a network service, RADIUS verifies their identity by checking their submitted credentials against a database of authorized users.

The role of RADIUS encompasses both authentication, which verifies the identity of a user or device before granting access, and authorization, which determines the level of access that authenticated users have to network resources. This dual functionality makes RADIUS a critical component in securing access to various network services, such as virtual private networks (VPNs) and wireless networks.

In contrast, other options such as password recovery involve different processes and security mechanisms, while network encryption relates more to safeguarding data in transit rather than validating user identities. Data loss prevention is a strategy implemented through various tools to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access and breaches, and does not directly relate to user authentication. Hence, the focus of RADIUS distinctly aligns with user authentication and authorization, making it the correct answer.