Authentication

Authentication

The process by which an entity (such as a person or computer system) determines whether another entity is who it claims to be. Authentication involves using credentials; i.e., driver’s license, password, biometrics, etc., either initially or in comparison to credentials on already on file, to prove and confirm identity. Authentication is different from authorization: proper authentication ensures truth of identity, and then based on the authentication, authorization may be the next step to grant access rights.


    • Related Articles

    • Biometric Authentication

      A security process that relies on the unique biological characteristics of an individual to verify is the individual’s identity.

    • Authorization

      In the context of information security, it is process of determining if the end user is permitted to have access to the desired resource such as the information asset or the information system containing the asset. Authorization criteria may be based ...