Which of the following statements is false about RADIUS?

The statement that RADIUS cannot provide authorization services is false because RADIUS does indeed support authorization as part of its functionality. RADIUS, which stands for Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service, serves several purposes in network security. It is primarily known for centralized authentication, where it validates user credentials for network access. However, it also has the capability to provide authorization, which allows network administrators to define what resources an authenticated user is allowed to access once their identity has been confirmed.

In a typical RADIUS operation, after a user is authenticated, the RADIUS server assesses whether the authenticated user has the necessary permissions to access certain network services or resources, effectively providing authorization. This two-step process ensures that both identity verification and access control are managed centrally, enhancing security within the network environment.

The other statements highlight valid characteristics of RADIUS. As an open standard, RADIUS is widely implemented across different platforms and devices, promoting interoperability. Centralized authentication indicates its role in managing user identities and access points efficiently. Additionally, RADIUS can log access attempts and provide audit trails, which is crucial for security monitoring and compliance. Therefore, the assertion about its inability to provide authorization is the only incorrect statement among them.