The overarching term that encompasses both authentication and authorization is Access Control. Access control refers to the policies and mechanisms that determine who can access specific resources and what actions they can perform. It ensures that only authorized users can access certain data or systems, thereby protecting sensitive information and maintaining system integrity.
In the context of security, access control typically involves:
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Authentication: Verifying the identity of a user or system, often through credentials like usernames and passwords.
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Authorization: Determining the permissions or access levels granted to authenticated users, specifying what resources they can access and what actions they can perform.
Together, these components form the foundation of access control systems, ensuring that only legitimate users can access resources and perform actions within a system.