What does LDAP stand for in network security protocols?

LDAP stands for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. It is a widely used protocol for accessing and managing directory services over a network. In network security, LDAP is frequently utilized to authenticate users, authorize access to resources, and retrieve user or organizational information stored in a directory such as Active Directory.

The term "lightweight" in LDAP signifies that this protocol was designed to be more straightforward and efficient compared to its predecessors, which allows for easier integration and is less resource-intensive. This makes LDAP a preferred choice for many applications that require directory services in environments where performance and scalability are important.