AUTHENTICATION APPARATUS AND IMAGE-FORMING APPARATUS

An authentication apparatus is provided and performs authentication on an authentication target apparatus that includes first allowance data used to determine whether a response to an authentication request from the authentication apparatus is allowed. The authentication apparatus includes timer circuitry measuring a time for which the authentication apparatus is energized; a memory storing restriction data that becomes readable after the measured time reaches a pre-set reference time; communication circuitry transmitting, to the authentication target apparatus, second allowance data that is based on the restriction data read from the memory and subjected to verification by the authentication target apparatus using the first allowance data; and processing circuitry authenticating the authentication target apparatus based on an authentication response from the authentication target apparatus when the verification performed on the second allowance data using the first allowance data is successful.