Meaning of Authorization

Authorization we have to state that it is a term that comes, etymologically speaking, from Latin. Thus, if we carry out its morphological analysis, we will take it into account. In this way, we can see that this word is made up of the union of three perfectly delimited parts: the word auctus, which can be translated as “increased”; the term izare that is synonymous with “making” and the suffix – tion which is equivalent to “action”.

Authorization is the action and effect of authorizing (recognizing the power or right of a person to do something). In the field of law, authorization is an act carried out by an authority, through which a subject is allowed a certain action that, otherwise, would be prohibited.

For computing, authorization is the part of an operating system that protects system resources, so that they can only be used by users who have permission to do so.

According to DigoPaul, authorization, therefore, is a kind of permission. It consists of giving consent for others to do or stop doing something.

In this sense, the authorization may consist of a specific person, who for certain reasons cannot carry out an action necessary for him, establish through the corresponding supporting document that authorizes a family member or friend to carry it out for him.

An example of this type of authorization would be when a man has to collect an official document and has suffered an accident that prevents him from going for it. For this reason, he makes an authorization so that his wife can present it at the official institution and the said document is delivered to her.

Many are the authorization models that we can find. However, all of them, regardless of the area in which they occur, must have a series of essential data. Thus, for example, there would be the full name of the person giving the authorization as well as other data of interest such as the number of their identity document and their address, the personal data of the person they authorize and the purpose of said authorization.

When a student wants to be absent from class for any reason, he requests the pertinent authorization from his teacher. In the same way, a child who wants to go out to play with his friends must ask his parents or the adults responsible for his care for permission.

Authorizations apply to all areas of life where there is a hierarchical relationship or different levels of power. An employee must ask his boss for permission to take a day off, for example. A public official needs the authorization of his superiors to release certain kinds of information to the media.

In general, companies require state authorization to operate and to carry out their commercial tasks. This authorization must be explicit and formal, in accordance with current regulations, and exceed the will of the official in question.

Authorization