Terminology Index

Glossary

2953 terms

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32

Identification

The step where an entity claims an identity, such as entering a username, distinct from authentication, which proves the claim. It is the first stage of establishing who someone is in access control.

Identification is asserting who you are (presenting a username, ID, or account), the claim that authentication then verifies (with a password, key, or biometric) and authorization acts on (deciding what that identity may do). Distinguishing identification, authentication, and authorization is a foundational access-control concept: identification alone proves nothing, it merely names the identity whose legitimacy and permissions are checked in the following steps.

Introduced in: Security Foundations

Examples

  • Entering a username to claim an identity before proving it.
  • Presenting an account ID that authentication will then verify.
  • Distinguishing identification (the claim) from authentication (the proof).