diff --git a/lib/Cake/Controller/Component/SecurityComponent.php b/lib/Cake/Controller/Component/SecurityComponent.php
index 31a14ef5c..1ed1c0eb1 100644
--- a/lib/Cake/Controller/Component/SecurityComponent.php
+++ b/lib/Cake/Controller/Component/SecurityComponent.php
@@ -92,6 +92,7 @@ class SecurityComponent extends Component {
  *
  * @var array
  * @see SecurityComponent::requireAuth()
+ * @deprecated 2.8.1 This feature is confusing and not useful.
  */
 	public $requireAuth = array();
 
@@ -400,6 +401,7 @@ class SecurityComponent extends Component {
  *
  * @param Controller $controller Instantiating controller
  * @return bool|null True if authentication required
+ * @deprecated 2.8.1 This feature is confusing and not useful.
  */
 	protected function _authRequired(Controller $controller) {
 		if (is_array($this->requireAuth) && !empty($this->requireAuth) && !empty($this->request->data)) {