Classical Cryptography Simulator

Authentication Requirements

Understanding the four fundamental requirements of authentication systems: Identification, Authentication, Authorization, and Accountability (IAAA).

Identification

First step in authentication process

The process of claiming an identity. Users provide credentials to identify themselves.

Examples:

  • Username entry
  • Email address
  • Employee ID
  • Student roll number
Authentication

Ensures the user is who they claim to be

The process of verifying the claimed identity. System validates the provided credentials.

Examples:

  • Password verification
  • Biometric scan
  • Security questions
  • One-time passwords
Authorization

Controls what authenticated users can do

The process of granting or denying permissions to authenticated users.

Examples:

  • Access control lists
  • Role-based permissions
  • File system permissions
  • API access tokens
Accountability

Provides traceability and non-repudiation

The ability to trace actions to specific entities. Ensures non-repudiation.

Examples:

  • Audit logs
  • Transaction records
  • System monitoring
  • Digital signatures
The IAAA Framework
The complete authentication and authorization framework
I

Identification

Who are you?

A

Authentication

Prove it

A

Authorization

What can you do?

A

Accountability

What did you do?

Security Principle

The IAAA framework ensures that only authorized users can access appropriate resources while maintaining a complete audit trail of all activities for security and compliance purposes.