What is the name of the service included with the Windows Server operating system that manages a centralized database containing user account and security information?

Active Directory is the service included with the Windows Server operating system that manages a centralized database containing user account and security information. It acts as a directory service, allowing administrators to create and manage user accounts, computer accounts, group policies, and security groups in a central repository. This enables the efficient organization and management of resources within a networked environment.

With Active Directory, administrators can enforce security policies, control access to resources, and streamline authentication processes for users within an organization, making it essential for managing large networks. Its structure allows for hierarchical organization of domain objects and supports features such as single sign-on and integrated management of policies and permissions.

While a Domain Controller is a server that uses Active Directory to authenticate and authorize all users and computers within a domain, it does not refer to the service itself. Group Policy is a feature within Active Directory that allows management of user and computer settings but is not the centralized database itself. Network Access Control is related to managing access to the network but does not pertain to the centralized database containing user account and security information.