What term describes the process of verifying whether a signed-in user can access a specific resource?

The term that describes the process of verifying whether a signed-in user can access a specific resource is authorization. Authorization is a crucial aspect of security that determines the rights and permissions a user has once their identity has been established through authentication. In simpler terms, while authentication verifies who the user is, authorization assesses what that authenticated user is allowed to do within the system or application.

For example, after a user logs into a system (authentication), the system checks what resources the user can access, such as files, databases, or applications, based on their specific role or permissions set by the organization. This ensures that users can only perform actions or access information for which they are permitted, helping to uphold the principle of least privilege and maintain security within the environment. Understanding the distinction between authentication and authorization is fundamental to grasping how security measures are implemented effectively within systems.