In the architecture of information security and disaster management,Authorizationis the specific process that grants or denies access rights to individuals after their identity has been successfully verified. While often used interchangeably with authentication, the two terms represent distinct stages in the security lifecycle.Authentication(Option B) is the process of verifyingwhoa user is (e.g., via a password, biometrics, or a PIV card). Once the system knows the user's identity, theAuthorizationprocess determineswhatthey are allowed to do and which sensitive files or databases they are permitted to access based on their role and "need to know."

According to theNIST Cybersecurity FrameworkandDHS Information Sharing Environment (ISE)guidelines, authorization is governed by Access Control Lists (ACLs) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC). In a disaster scenario, sensitive information such as patient records, infrastructure vulnerabilities, or intelligence reports must be protected. The authorization process ensures that a responder from a partner agency is granted just enough access to perform their duty (the Principle of Least Privilege) without exposing the entire system to risk.Confidentiality(Option A) is thegoalor state of the information being protected, but it is not the "process" that grants the rights.

For aCEDPprofessional, establishing clear authorization protocols is a critical preparedness task. During the chaos of a response, there is often pressure to "open up" systems for faster communication. However, without a formal authorization process, sensitive data can be leaked or corrupted. By defining authorization levels in pre-incident planning (e.g., who can see the Tier II chemical reports or the evacuation routes), emergency managers ensure that the right people have the right tools while maintaining the security of the community's sensitive digital and physical assets. This systematic approach to "Information Management" is a core requirement ofNIMSto ensure that data integrity is maintained throughout the response and recovery lifecycle.