An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores a first user identifier that identifies respective users in the information processing apparatus, and plural second user identifiers stored in respective authentication apparatuses and identify the users in each authentication apparatus, so as to correspond with each other; a first authentication request unit that transmits authentication information input by a user to at least one of the authentication apparatuses and requests authentication of the user; a first user identifier acquisition unit that, when authentication of the user has been successful, acquires the second user identifier of that user stored in that authentication apparatus; and a use allowing unit that specifies the first user identifier stored in the storage unit corresponding with the second user identifier acquired by the first user identifier acquisition unit, and allows the user identified by the specified first user identifier to use the information processing apparatus.