Terminology Index
Glossary
2953 terms
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).
