Authentication
The process of verifying that a person system or device is the identity it claims to be.
Plain English
Prove who or what is making the request.
In context
Authentication relies on credentials or authenticators and establishes identity before authorization evaluates permitted actions.
Example
“The service authenticates the user with a signed session token.”
When you'll hear this
- login design
- API security
- access management
Common misunderstanding
Authentication answers who you are while authorization answers what you may do.
Also known as
authnidentity verification
Commonly used by
Related terms
Updated: 2026-08-27
