Authentication and authorization are two fundamental concepts in data security, often used together but serving different purposes.

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or system. It involves checking credentials such as usernames, passwords, or biometric information like fingerprints or facial recognition¹. This step ensures that the entity is who they claim to be, protecting systems from unauthorized access². Common authentication methods include password-based authentication, two-factor authentication (2FA), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and single sign-on (SSO)¹.