There is provided an authentication method and system where protection of user equipment (UE) privacy and network security can be improved. The system includes a third party communicatively trusted by and connected to the UE and one or more network entities, the third party configured to obtain identity information indicative of identity of the UE or the network entities and verify the UE and the network entities on whether the UE and the network entities are authorized to perform communications in the communication network. The third party is further configured to create mapping information, the mapping information including mappings between each identity indicated by the identity information and a respective temporary authentication identifier (ID) and according to the mapping information, transmit the respective temporary authentication ID to each of the UE and the network entities that are verified successfully by the third party. The system further includes the one or more network entities to which the UE is authenticated to access, each of the network entities configured to communicate with the UE or other network entities based on their respective temporary authentication ID.