Authentication vs Authorization | Infographic
By: Laura Nutt
Tags: DevOps, Infographics, Authentication, Cybersecurity, Authorization

Authentication and Authorization, which are often used interchangeably, are key aspects of identity and access management (IAM). They are instrumental to an organization’s data integrity, ensuring that only the right people have access to sensitive information. While authentication confirms the user’s identity, authorization determines what the user is allowed to access.

What is Authentication?

Authentication is the process of validating who users say to be who they are. In every protection method, this is the first step.

Authentication process:

With passwords: The most important considerations for authentication include usernames and passwords.

one-time pin login: For just one session or transaction, grant entry.

Authentication via apps: Generate security codes from an external party that provides access.

By biometrics: A fingerprint or eye scan is presented by a user to gain access to the system.

Types of Authentication

Mainly, there are three categories of authentication that can be employed to keep an enterprise safe.

Single-factor authentication as the name suggests, is a means of validation that involves the user having to get the password right.

Two-factor authentication is when the user is supposed to complete another step after entering the password correctly, such as answer a question that only he/she knows the answer to.

Multi-factor authentication is employed in places such as banks to eliminate all possible forms of data exposure.

SSO or single sign-on is a means of authentication that lets a user access different apps with the same set of credentials.

What is Authorization?

The act of granting someone permission to do or have anything is authorization. In multi-user computer systems, for the system , the system administrator determines which users are allowed to use the system and what user rights (such as use to which file folders, hours of access, reserved storage space, etc.) are allowed to use the system.

Device protection authorization is the process of granting the user permission to access a particular resource or feature. With access control or client privilege, this expression is also used interchangeably.

Types of Authorization

Authorization can be classified broadly as follows.

Role-based access control is the most straightforward means of authorization, and it is undertaken whenever there is a need for system-to-system and user-to-system privilege management.

Authorization can also be done using a public/ private key pair through the use of a JSON web token.

A commonly used method, the OAuth authorization system, authorizes the user via API authentication.

Security Assertion Markup Language can also provide authorization by enabling authentication via digitally signed XML documents.

Despite differing in significant ways, these processes serve a common role in identity and access management, and they need to work together seamlessly.

Understanding and efficiently leveraging both is hence the prudent way forward for an enterprise looking to protect its data from the prying eyes of dangerous cybercriminals, who are a constant threat.

Authentication vs. Authorization

To learn more about the authentication vs authorization — concept, differences, and techniques, check out the infographic below created by LoginRadius.