Authentication vs. Authorization β What's the difference?
A thread π§΅
A thread π§΅
In a nutshell, authentication identifies who a user is, and authorization verifies that userβs access to a particular resource.
Letβs discuss this furtherπ
Letβs discuss this furtherπ
Authentication is usually the first step in any internet security process and validates that a user is who they claim to be.
Standard authentication methods are passwords and usernames, biometrics (such as fingerprints), and one-time passwords.
Standard authentication methods are passwords and usernames, biometrics (such as fingerprints), and one-time passwords.
When it comes to API authentication, APIs are unable to identify individual users. Therefore most methods authenticate the application requesting data.
Standard API authentication methods include API Keys, OAuth, and
Basic HTTP authentication.
Standard API authentication methods include API Keys, OAuth, and
Basic HTTP authentication.
In contrast, authorization controls a userβs access permissions to a resource. Authorization occurs after authentication.
Once a user is authenticated, authorization determines what data they can access and what they can do with it. This includes limits/restrictions.
Once a user is authenticated, authorization determines what data they can access and what they can do with it. This includes limits/restrictions.
Various security models implement authorization, such as role-based access control (RBAC) and attribute-based access control (ABAC).
Standard API authentication methods, such as OAuth and API Keys, also provide API authorization.
Standard API authentication methods, such as OAuth and API Keys, also provide API authorization.
For example, API Keys issued to clients identify the application making requests and determine the userβs level of access based on their chosen API plan. This could mean their number of API calls is limited.
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