Guide: Identification and Authentication (Access Control)

Identification and authentication, often paired together for access control, involve verifying the identity of a user, machine or device in a computer system before granting access.

Why Identification and Authentication is important: Understanding identification and authentication is crucial because it relates to how secure systems verify who has access to them. Misrepresentation in identification and authentication can lead to unauthorized access, theft of sensitive data, and other security incidents.

What is Identification and Authentication: Identification is the process of a user claiming an identity (like a username). Authentication involves verifying that identity with some evidence (like a password or biometric data).

How it Works: During identification, a user claims an identity. During authentication, the system checks the claim. If the claimed identity is valid and matches the authentication evidence, the user is granted access.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Identification and Authentication: When answering exam questions, remember that identification precedes authentication. Also, both steps are required for secure access control. Familiarize yourself with different types of authentication (something you know, have or are) and understand how they can be used together for multifactor authentication.

Remember: Mere possession of a user ID (identification) doesn't grant access – proof of identity (authentication) is required. This principle is fundamental in cybersecurity.