Authentication vs Authorization: What is the Difference?

Authentication and authorization are crucial security processes that are used by administrators for protecting the system and its information.

In this article on Authentication vs Authorization, we will learn about the two terminologies along with the difference between the two. Let us get started.

Table of Content

• Authentication vs Authorization
• What is Authentication?
• Types of Authentication
• What is Authorization?
• Types of Authorization

Authentication vs Authorization

Let us now understand the difference between authentication and authorization through the following table:

What is Authentication?

Authentication is the process used for verifying the identity of users so that they can gain access to the system. It provides double security as it ensures that your data does not fall into the wrong hands. The data submitted by the user is matched with the records in the database. 

Once the system successfully authenticates the data, the user is granted access. Different methods are used for authentication. Authentication is very important since it can prevent your data from cyber-attacks and data breaches. 

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Types of Authentication

There are different types of authentication methods through which the system authenticates your identity.

1. Password-based authentication

This is one of the most basic methods of authentication, where user identification is authenticated through passwords. Once you have entered your username and password, the system will match the entered data with your record in its database to confirm your identity. If the details match, it authenticates your identity and grants you access. 

2. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

This is an authentication method where users are required to validate their identity through different methods of authentication. It may include security questions, fingerprints, voice biometrics, facial recognition, and captcha test. This can be considered as a more secure method of authentication due to multiple security layers that require different types of validation.

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3. Digital certificate

In this method of authentication, user identity is verified using a digital certificate. This certificate is an electronic document that contains the digital identity of the user, including public key. Users provide digital certificates whenever they have to sign in to a server. The server verifies the credibility of the digital signature and the authority of the certificate. 

4. Biometric authentication

Within this method, there are different types of authentication based on your body parts. This includes your eyes, fingerprints, voice and facial recognition. This has a higher level of security since it is difficult to replicate biometrics. 

5. Token-based authentication

In this method, the user receives a unique encrypted string of random characters known as ‘token’ in exchange for their credentials. This token can be used for accessing protected systems. This prevents the effort of submitting credentials again and again.

What is Authorization?

Authorization is the process of granting access to resources. It gives authority and privileges to users to access confidential and crucial data that is prone to threats. Authorization rules are the part of Identity and Access Management (IAM). Through authorization, managers can manage which people have access to system resources and set the client privileges. 

Types of Authorization

Following are the different types of authorization that we will discuss in this section.

1. OAuth

It is an authentication method that allows users to grant websites access to their information without passwords. OAuth grants secure delegated access to server resources. It is a protocol that takes the permission of the resource owner for allowing the authorization server to provide access tokens to the third party clients. 

2. API key

API Key is a string that is included in the request header or request URL. It is used as a token that the client provides for making the API call. It authenticates you to use the API. This remains a secret between the server and the client. It is considered safe and secure only when used with mechanisms such as HTTPS/SSL.

3. SAML authorization assertion 

SAML Authorization assertion contains the proof that a particular user is authorized to access specified resources. These assertions are issued by SAML PDP whenever the client requests for access to a specified resource. 

4. JSON web token (JWT) authorization

It is an add-on layer of security that provides a more manageable method to orchestrate a network of APIs. It generates a single shared token that contains user and app-level information to help API in the same ecosystem determine what a token holder is allowed to do. 

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Conclusion

Both authentication and authorization go hand in hand. The system is not safe without the implementation of any of the two. First, the system authenticates a user, and then it grants the user with privileges to resources. It is, therefore, important to understand that although the two are different, both are crucial on different security levels. 

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