In today’s digital age, ensuring secure access to personal data is paramount. Companies are mandated by data protection regulations to strictly adhere to this principle. Hence, IT systems are equipped with access controls, requiring users to prove their legitimacy before accessing data.
Often, terms like “Authentication,” “Verification,” and “Authorization” are used interchangeably. However, they have distinct meanings, which we’ll clarify below. While some might view this differentiation as nitpicking, it’s essential in specific contexts, especially when documenting processes for data protection or an Information Security Management System (ISMS).
The Three-Step Login Process
Successfully logging into an IT system can be broken down into three distinct steps, each represented by one of the aforementioned terms:
- Authentication: From the user’s perspective, this is the act of logging into the system. The user establishes their identity by providing credentials like a username and password. Other forms of authentication might include magnetic cards or biometric features.
- Verification: This is where the system takes over. During verification, the system checks the user’s provided details against its database, matching input data with stored usernames and hashed passwords.
- Authorization: This step follows a successful verification. The user is granted specific rights based on their profile. These rights determine the extent to which they can use the system, including viewing or modifying personal data.