System hardening primarily aims to achieve which of the following?

System hardening primarily focuses on reducing potential system vulnerabilities. This process involves implementing a series of security measures and configurations to minimize the attack surface of a system. By doing so, system hardening enhances the overall security posture of the system against various cyber threats and exploits.

The concept of system hardening includes actions such as removing unnecessary software, closing unused ports, applying security patches, and configuring security settings to enforce stricter controls. This creates a more secure environment by limiting the opportunities for attackers to exploit weaknesses.

While an improved user interface, faster processing speeds, and increased software installations may enhance user experience or functionality, they do not align with the primary goal of reinforcing security and making systems more resilient against potential intrusions. Therefore, the focus of system hardening remains steadfast on vulnerability reduction, which is essential for maintaining a secure IT infrastructure.