Identification vs Authentication

December 6, 2022

Most online transactions begin with identification, which calls for the user to “identify” themselves by supplying a name, email address, phone number, or username. This is the procedure through which someone claims to be a specific individual.

However, it may be challenging in an online setting to confirm that a person is providing a legitimate identity and that they are who they claim to be.

More information, often a form of government-issued identification, may be provided to confirm identities. Typically, you only need to go through the verification procedure the first time you register an account or visit a website. After that, your identification will be verified, often by creating a password corresponding to your username.

A kind of authentication is set up when you first sign up for, access, or onboard with a system, service, or business after your identity has been confirmed. This will be necessary every time the service or application is visited.

One of the following is required for digital authentication:

A security question or password that a person knows

a token, smartcard, identification card, or cryptographic key that a person has

biometric information, such as a fingerprint or face scan, is what a person is.

Users may demonstrate their identity during the authentication process if they still say they are at the identification stage. Multi-factor authentication (MFA), which necessitates using several forms of authentication, is one of the safest authentication techniques.

Explaining permission

Giving someone permission to use a service or a system means providing them access to certain rights and privileges depending on the identity and verification they have previously supplied.

Nearly 5 million allegations of fraud and identity theft were filed in 2020. Cybercrime is a problem when criminals steal personal information and impersonate trustworthy individuals.

The authorization component ensures that a person is who they say they are, has the right to use certain services, and is entitled to certain rights. For it to be effective, authorization must occur after identity and authentication.

Use cases for each protocol

In the initial setup phase of a firm’s accounts, services, and onboarding, identification is employed. Personal information must be provided to identify a person and then confirm their identification.

Identification papers, information that only a genuine person would know, or providing personal information like a social security number may all be used to confirm someone’s identity. Every time a user uses an account or service, identification is often required in the form of a username.

The next stage is authentication. It is started to verify that a user is actually who they say they are by comparing them to previously given information. When a user enters a password or provides the specified information, authentication takes place. After that, the system will verify that their saved information matches.

To confirm the validity of the user’s identification, authentication systems may request a one-time verification code. The user is often required to enter the code as an extra authentication factor, frequently supplied through text message to a previously specified email or phone number. Authorization shouldn’t happen until the identity and authentication have been confirmed.

After the user has been authorized, the system will finally offer them access or rights and privileges. By prohibiting illegal usage of passports, authorization may safeguard system resources and specific individuals.

The non-repudiation service may have many components, each of which performs a distinct role. The non-repudiation service with proof of origin may provide the recipient indisputable evidence that the communication was delivered by that specific person if the sender ever disputes sending it.

The non-repudiation service with proof of delivery may provide the sender unquestionable evidence that that particular person received the communication if the recipient ever denies receiving it.

Proof with almost absolute certainty, or indisputable evidence, is a challenging objective in practice. Nothing in the actual world is entirely safe. Managing risk to an acceptable level for the company is more critical than governing security. A more reasonable demand in this situation is for the non-repudiation provider to offer proof that would hold up in court and support your claim.

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