Which type of scan authenticates to the host to access unavailable network resources?

The credentialed scan is designed to authenticate to the host system in order to gain greater visibility and access to various network resources that may not be available through unauthenticated means. By using valid credentials, this type of scan can delve deeper into the network, revealing configurations, settings, and vulnerabilities that might be hidden from external scans that lack such access.

This increased level of access enables the identification of more potential security issues, helping to facilitate a more comprehensive assessment of compliance and security measures in place. In essence, a credentialed scan functions as an invaluable tool for network administrators seeking detailed insights and assessments of their systems, all while ensuring a higher degree of accuracy in vulnerability detection and compliance verification.

Options that focus on uncredentialed scans, external scans, or passive scans do not provide the same depth of information or access. Uncredentialed scans lack authentication, resulting in limited visibility into the system's internals. External scans typically assess only external-facing services, while passive scans monitor network traffic without direct engagement with the host, leaving critical internal resources inaccessible. Thus, the credentialed scan stands out as the optimal choice for accessing unavailable network resources through authentication.