Comparison Table
| Option | Primary difference | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | Proves or asserts identity | Passwords, MFA, certificates, federation |
| Authorization | Decides allowed actions | RBAC, ABAC, ACLs, policy rules |
Exam clue: If the user is logged in but can access another user record, the issue is authorization, not authentication.
How To Use It
Read the scenario for the required outcome. If the requirement is prevention, do not stop at detection. If the requirement is accountability, do not stop at authentication. If the requirement is recovery, distinguish data loss from service downtime.