What role does authorization play in system security?

Authorization is a critical aspect of system security that involves granting permissions for resource access after a user has successfully authenticated. Once a user’s identity has been confirmed through authentication, authorization checks if that user has the necessary rights or privileges to access certain resources, perform specific actions, or access data within the system. This process ensures that only authorized individuals can interact with sensitive information or functionalities, thereby helping to maintain security and integrity within the system.

For example, in a corporate environment, an employee may log in with their username and password (authentication), but authorization will dictate whether they can access financial records, modify data, or use administrative tools based on their role or permissions set by the organization's security policies. By effectively managing access rights, organizations can protect themselves from unauthorized use and potential data breaches.

The other roles mentioned—like determining if a user can log in, validating user identities, and creating user accounts—are part of the broader security framework but do not specifically address the function of authorization in managing and controlling access permissions post-authentication.