Glossary

Authentication (AuthN)

The means of proving some one or somethings identity. Typically this is a user name and password, if you know these details then you must be who you claim to be. Other types of Authentication include using Security Certificates.

Authorisation (AuthZ)

The means of checking whether or not a user is allowed to do something. For example, checking that a user is allowed to view certain pages with in a web site. Typically Authorisation happens after a user has Authenticated.