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Authentication (AuthN)

Authentication (AuthN)

Authentication answers the question: Who am I?

Whenever you log in to a social platform like LinkedIn or Facebook, it asks you for a password. This password effectively tells those platforms that you are who you say you are. Then, when you log in, you assume your own identity. You’re signed into your account, and you operate as “you” in the space. In other words, authentication validates identity. Access consists of both authentication and authorization.