What is meant by authorization in the context of cybersecurity?

In the context of cybersecurity, authorization refers to the process that determines what an authenticated user is allowed to do. Once a user has proven their identity through authentication, which is the verification of credentials, authorization comes into play to establish access permissions based on predefined policies or protocols. This means that authorization defines the extent of access an authenticated user has to resources, such as files, systems, or applications, ensuring they can only interact with those resources for which they have been granted permissions.

For instance, a user might have authentication credentials to access a system, but without proper authorization, they may not have the right to access sensitive files or perform administrative tasks. This clear distinction is essential for maintaining security within an organization, as it limits users' abilities to navigate a system purely based on their authenticated status, thus protecting assets and data integrity.