Understanding user authentication and access control
At the beginning of this chapter, we will briefly mention the fundamental purpose and techniques of user authentication and access control. Imagine a world where your identity is the gateway to everything you hold dear. Your bank accounts, personal emails, health records, and even your home security system hinge on the ability to prove you are who you claim to be. Now, envision a breach—someone else claims to be you, and suddenly, your world is turned upside down. This isn’t a plot from a dystopian novel; it’s a potential reality in our digital age, where user authentication and access control form the crux of information security.
User authentication—at its core—is the process of verifying that someone is who they claim to be. It is fundamentally about identity confirmation. When a user attempts to access a system, authentication is the gatekeeper. It acts as the front line of defense, ensuring...
