What type of information does an active directory primarily store?

An active directory primarily stores user credentials and system policies, which are essential for managing access and security within a networked environment. It serves as a centralized directory for information about users, computers, and other resources, allowing administrators to manage permissions and authentication efficiently. This means that when users attempt to log in to a system, their credentials are verified against the data stored in the active directory. Additionally, system policies that dictate user permissions, access controls, and configurations are also maintained within this structure, providing a cohesive framework for enforcing security protocols and resources management.

Other options like financial records, operational database contents, and traffic analysis logs pertain to different information management domains. Financial records relate to an organization’s bookkeeping and monetary transactions rather than user management. Operational database contents might involve data necessary for applications' functionality but do not deal with user authentication or policies. Traffic analysis logs focus on monitoring and analyzing network traffic, which is also outside the primary scope of active directory's functions.