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Authentication Definition
Authorization Definition
Authentication vs Authorization
Key Differences
FAQs

What is Authentication?

Authentication is the process of confirming the identity of a user. This is usually the initial step in the security process. To confirm the user's identity, the user must present physical or nonphysical evidence (information) to the authentication platform. These can be divided broadly among the following:

  1. What they have: The possession of a physical object, such as a key, keycard, key fob, or swipe card.
  2. What they know: Information that only the user would know, including a password, passcode, personal identification number (PIN), date of birth, Social Security number, or other personally identifiable information (PII).
  3. Who they are: Biometrics, or the use of an index finger, thumb, hand, voice, retina, face, or another unique physical identifier to gain access to a resource. The physical attribute must match what was used at the time of the user's enrollment in the system.

Passwords are generally the most common—and oldest—authentication factor. If the password matches exactly the password created by either the user or the system, the system assumes validity and grants access. 

Other information-based authentication processes are also gaining in popularity. One is the one-time PIN or temporary password generated by the system. It allows a user access to a single or temporary session that expires after a set amount of time. Mobile banking users typically encounter this procedure for money transfer transactions, specifically when a new recipient, at first unrecognized by the system, is added. 

Another way to confirm user identity is through an authentication application, usually on the user's mobile device, that generates temporary security codes that grant access to another website or service.

Two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) are also increasingly being employed to increase security beyond the level provided by passwords alone. These processes require the successful verification of one or more modalities before granting access to a system. For example, MFA could ask a user to provide both a password and the temporary PIN sent to the user's mobile device.

What is Authorization?

Authorization is the process of giving a user permission to access a physical location or information-based resource (e.g., a document, database, application, or website). 

Authorization is unfortunately used synonymously with authentication, but this is an error. Authentication occurs first, followed by authorization. Users need to prove their identities before a system can grant them permission to enter. 

However, permission is a broad term. A user may pass authentication procedures and be granted access to a system, but that does not mean they can access all the components of an application or online service because specific permissions can be defined by the organization that allowed them access. 

Permissions are what a user is able to see or do on a website or inside an application. Without these specific permissions, every user would have access to the same information or features. 

As such, permissions and restrictions, and their proper administration, are critical to an organization's security for several reasons. This is because they:

Prevent a user from accessing another customer's account

This is perhaps the most important reason why permissions are necessary. For example, a customer can log in to their bank account via the bank's website or mobile application. Although the bank has allowed the user to enter the system, the bank also needs to authorize the user's permissions. Otherwise, the user would have access not only to their own account but also to every other account in the system. Permissions ensure users can access only the information they need to.

Block free accounts from receiving the benefits of premium features

Permission levels restrict free users of a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) site, such as a newspaper with gated content or an online collaboration platform, from gaining access to premium features. Permissions need to be implemented so that users only have access to the features they paid for. Without restrictions in place, there would be revenue loss for the organization.

Ensure zero crossover between external client accounts and internal accounts

Permissions also separate internal from external users. While both employees and customers can be allowed to use a company's website, employees should have access to data and systems that customers should not have. In the same vein, certain employees should not have access to important client information. As such, the organization must create different levels of authorizations for each employee. 

Setting the right permission levels is as equally important as selecting the right combination of authentication factors. In fact, proper authorization can reduce the negative effects of a data breach. For example, if a hacker successfully gains access to an employee's account, and if that employee is not authorized to access customers' banking or credit card information, then the ill effects of the breach could be lessened. 

Further, authorizations make employees more productive. If they have the correct level of access to the files and programs they need to carry out their work, they do not have to constantly ask their managers or IT for access. They will also not be distracted or overwhelmed by files and programs they do not need.

Authentication vs Authorization

Authentication is a process to authenticate a user, that is, to verify that someone is who they say they are. Authorization is about determining a user’s level of access and then granting access based on that level. 

However, it’s not about picking authentication or authorization. What’s more important is to unpack the differences between them, and understand that both are vital to secure enterprise systems, applications, and data.

Key differences between Authentication and Authorization?

Authentication

  • Authentication is the process of verifying user identity before giving them permission to access a system, account, or file.
  • Its main purpose is to verify (“authenticate”) a user’s identity. It also keeps out suspicious or malicious users since their identities will not be verifiable.
  • Most authentication mechanisms are based on verifying a user’s credentials before they get access to the system. These credentials may be their username and password, security questions or a one-time pin (OTP) sent to their mobile phones.
  • Credential-based authentication works by comparing user-provided credentials to a database record. When there is a perfect match between the two, users can access the account.

Authorization

  • Authorization is the process of verifying a user’s access level to a system, account, or file.
  • User authorization ensures that only authorized users can access the assets they need and only to the extent allowed by the system.
  • Under RBAC, authorization permissions are associated with roles, not users. It ensures that users can only access the required information according to their roles.

 

 

Despite these differences, both authentication and authorization are reliable methods of access control. In IT environments, they are often part of Identity and Access Management (IAM). They are also key enablers of centralized identity management and single sign-on (SSO). SSO enables users to securely authenticate themselves with multiple applications using a single set of login credentials or personal information. Many SSO workflows are based on OpenID Connect (OIDC), an authentication layer to verify user identities and provide SSO functionality.

Authentication vs Authorization FAQs

What are the different types of authentication?

Passwords are the most common type of authentication but using a one-time PIN is gaining in popularity, especially for financial applications. An authentication app on the user’s mobile device that generates a temporary security code is also a common practice. 

To increase security beyond the level provided by passwords alone, two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) are on the rise. For example, they require the successful verification of both a password and the temporary PIN sent to the user's mobile device to authenticate the user before authorizing access.

What is authentication in cybersecurity?

Authentication is the process of confirming the identity of a user before authorizing access to computer networks or systems. This is usually the initial step in the cybersecurity process. To confirm the user's identity, the user must present physical or nonphysical evidence (information) to the authentication platform.

How does authorization work?

In cybersecurity, authorization is the process of giving a user permission to access a physical location or digital, information-based resource (e.g., a document, database, application, or website). After authentication, authorization gives a user permission to access a physical location or information-based resource (e.g., a document, database, application, or website).

What are the common types of authorization?

User authorization technologies are used to control and secure access to sensitive databases, private and personal data, and corporate resources. Authorization helps protect Software as a Service (SaaS) applications and services by ensuring users have the right permissions to access sensitive databases, private and personal data, and corporate resources. 

Computer systems can leverage many types of common authorization technologies, such as  Discretionary Access Control (DAC) which is based on group or identity, Mandatory Access Control (MAC) of files and memory objects at the operating system level, and Attribute-based Access Control (ABAC) which is based on policies. 

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)--based on the DAD or MAC model–is used to establish roles and assign which roles have access to specific objects.

What are the similarities between authentication and authorization?

Authentication is verifying the true identity of a user or entity, while authorization determines what a user can access and ensures that a user or entity receives the right access or permissions in a system.  Authentication is a prerequisite to authorization. 

Authentication and authorization are two critical concepts in access control, used in identity and access management (IAM). They are essential components of any system or web application that determine the security of a system.

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