Episode 22 — Identity & Access Management I: AuthN vs AuthZ

Identity is the foundation of control, and this episode clarifies two of its most important pillars: authentication and authorization. You’ll hear how authentication verifies who a user or system claims to be, while authorization determines what that identity is allowed to do. The discussion explores how these processes interact—from login prompts and tokens to policy enforcement points that map roles to permissions. Understanding this distinction is essential both for exam questions and for designing systems that prevent privilege creep or unauthorized actions.We then examine how authentication mechanisms have evolved—from passwords and smart cards to multifactor methods and federated identity models. Listeners will also learn how authorization frameworks like Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) and Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) bring structure and adaptability to complex environments. Practical examples, such as web app sign-ins and API token validation, illustrate how identity flows underpin every modern security model. By internalizing the difference between proving identity and granting capability, you’ll be equipped to analyze real-world failures and reason through GSEC scenarios with clarity. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.

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