Understanding the CIA Triad and the Differences Between Authentication & Authorization
BLUF
This paper discusses the CIA Triad, which outlines key principles in cybersecurity, and explains the differences between authentication and authorization, using examples to clarify each concept. These foundational elements are essential for ensuring the security and integrity of digital systems.
The CIA Triad is a cybersecurity model that highlights three essential components:
Confidentiality:
Ensures that only authorized users can access sensitive information. Encryption is a common tool used to protect confidentiality. For example, companies often encrypt customer data to prevent unauthorized access during transmission.
Integrity:
Focuses on maintaining the accuracy and trustworthiness of data. Integrity is protected by using methods like hashing, which ensures that data has not been altered. For instance, a company might use file checksums to verify that a downloaded file is the same as the original.
Availability:
Ensures that authorized users can access data and systems when needed. Techniques like redundant systems and regular backups help maintain availability even during outages or cyberattacks. For example, many organizations use cloud-based backups to ensure their systems are available after a ransomware attack.
Authentication vs. Authorization
While both authentication and authorization are crucial in controlling access to systems, they serve different purposes:
Authentication:
This process confirms a user’s identity. It answers the question, “Are you who you say you are?” Common examples include usernames and passwords, biometrics, or multi-factor authentication (MFA). For example, logging into an email account using a fingerprint reader is an example of authentication.
Authorization:
Once a user is authenticated, authorization determines what actions they can perform or what resources they can access. It asks, “What are you allowed to do?” For example, a user might be authenticated to a company’s network but only authorized to view specific files and not edit or delete them.
Example: In a workplace setting, an employee might use a password to log in (authentication) but only have permission to view their own payroll information without access to other employees’ records (authorization).
Conclusion
The CIA Triad is a core model for understanding how to secure information through confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Additionally, the distinction between authentication and authorization helps ensure that users’ identities are verified and that they only have access to appropriate resources. Understanding these concepts is crucial for maintaining effective cybersecurity practices in any organization.
References
TechTarget. (n.d.). What is the CIA triad? Definition, explanation, examples. WhatIs.com. https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/Confidentiality-integrity-and-availability-CIA?jr=on