Intro to Your Tech: Authentication

Authentication is something that even the everyday user of a computer might encounter in different ways. Take, for example, identity authentication. You can use a driver’s license, library card, or even a PIN number. Computers use authentication as a part of their main primary functionality, and it mostly comes in the form of passwords and usernames. We’ll take a closer look into what authentication is and what it does.

Authentication vs Authorization
Authentication is basically the act of saying “Yes, I am who I say I am.” While the two are often considered the same, they are slightly different. Authorization is more along the lines of confirming an identity to access information or materials. In fact, the act of authorization cannot actually occur without authentication happening.

How Authentication Works
A user will provide their credentials, which are then cross-referenced with the credentials that the system has stored in a database. If the credentials match, the user is granted authorization to access the system. Depending on the identity associated with these credentials, authorization can be granted at a variety of levels. For example, management will often have more privileges within their network due to the role they play within an organization.

Two-Factor Authentication
In an effort to improve security, many organizations have turned to a method called two-factor authentication, or 2FA for short. 2FA adds an extra layer of security to accounts that would ordinarily only need a username or password. This code is typically delivered to the user via email, application, or a text message whenever they try to access an account protected by 2FA. The code is one-time, so it will always change upon further login attempts. This creates a situation where accounts can only be accessed if the user has access to the other account associated with the 2FA settings defined by the user, securing them from hackers who don’t have access to both. This is the reason why 2FA is so widely used in the business world.

If your business could use a secondary layer of security (hint: it can!), SCW can help. To learn more, reach out to us at (509) 534-1530.