In summary, Authentication (authn) verifies the identity of a user, while Authorization (authz) determines the permissions and privileges associated with that identity to control access to resources or systems. These two processes often work together as part of a broader security framework to ensure secure and controlled access to sensitive information or functionalities.

While they are related, they serve different purposes:

Authentication (authn): Authentication focuses on verifying the identity of a user or entity trying to access a system or resource. It ensures that the user is who they claim to be. Authentication typically involves providing credentials, such as a username and password, a fingerprint scan, a smart card, or any other form of identification. The primary goal of authentication is to establish trust and confirm the user’s identity before granting access.

Authorization (authz): Authorization deals with granting or denying access rights to authenticated users or entities based on their privileges or permissions. Once a user’s identity is Authenticated, Authorization comes into play to determine what actions they can perform within the system. It involves defining access control policies, permissions, roles, or privileges that specify what resources or operations a user can access or perform. Authorization ensures that users only access the appropriate resources and actions according to their defined privileges.