Authentication vs Authorization: What's the difference?

Authentication and authorization are two critical components of digital security that, while often confused, serve distinct purposes within a security framework. Authentication is the process of verifying a user's identity, ensuring that only legitimate users can access sensitive information, and is achieved through methods such as passwords, biometrics, and multi-factor authentication. Authorization, on the other hand, determines what actions an authenticated user is permitted to perform, using methods like Role-Based Access Control (RBAC), Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC), and Policy-Based Access Control (PBAC) to restrict access to specific resources and actions based on roles or attributes. The key difference lies in their functions: authentication confirms user identity, whereas authorization dictates user permissions. Choosing the right combination of authentication and authorization methods is crucial for maintaining security, considering factors such as security requirements, user base, scalability, and compliance. When effectively implemented together, they form a robust security system that protects against unauthorized access and misuse, thereby safeguarding sensitive information for both individuals and organizations.