Why is Kerberos performance generally considered superior to NTLM?

Kerberos performance is generally regarded as superior to NTLM largely due to its efficient use of network resources, which is highlighted by the requirement of only two round trips between the browser and the authentication server for obtaining a ticket-granting ticket (TGT) and a service ticket. This streamlined process significantly reduces latency and enhances overall performance compared to NTLM, which can be more cumbersome and resource-intensive due to its reliance on multiple authentication requests and challenges, requiring more interactions between client and server.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of Kerberos's performance benefits. While it's true that Kerberos is designed to provide robust security features, its advanced structure that minimizes the number of required communications is a key factor that contributes to its superior performance compared to NTLM. This unique two-round trip mechanism in Kerberos makes it more efficient for environments where quick authentication is critical.