Authentication Credential

An Authentication Credential is a security artifact that establishes user identity through authentication verification processes.

• AKA: Authentication Token, Identity Credential, Access Credential, Security Credential.
• Context:
  • It can typically enable Authentication Credential Verification through authentication credential protocols.
  • It can typically provide Authentication Credential Identity Proof through authentication credential validation.
  • It can typically support Authentication Credential Access Control through authentication credential authorization.
  • It can typically maintain Authentication Credential Security through authentication credential protection mechanisms.
  • It can typically facilitate Authentication Credential Portability through authentication credential standard formats.
  • ...
  • It can often implement Authentication Credential Encryption through authentication credential cryptographic methods.
  • It can often enable Authentication Credential Revocation through authentication credential lifecycle management.
  • It can often support Authentication Credential Federation through authentication credential trust relationships.
  • It can often provide Authentication Credential Auditing through authentication credential activity logging.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Weak Authentication Credential to being a Strong Authentication Credential, depending on its authentication credential security strength.
  • It can range from being a Single-Factor Authentication Credential to being a Multi-Factor Authentication Credential, depending on its authentication credential factor count.
  • It can range from being a Static Authentication Credential to being a Dynamic Authentication Credential, depending on its authentication credential variability.
  • It can range from being a Short-Lived Authentication Credential to being a Long-Lived Authentication Credential, depending on its authentication credential lifetime.
  • It can range from being a Knowledge-Based Authentication Credential to being a Possession-Based Authentication Credential to being an Inherence-Based Authentication Credential, depending on its authentication credential factor type.
  • ...
  • It can integrate with Authentication System for authentication credential verification.
  • It can connect to Identity Provider for authentication credential issuance.
  • It can interface with Authorization System for authentication credential permission mapping.
  • It can communicate with Audit System for authentication credential activity tracking.
  • It can synchronize with Credential Management System for authentication credential lifecycle control.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Password-Based Authentication Credentials, such as:
    • Traditional Password for text-based authentication.
    • Passphrase for memorized secret authentication.
    • PIN for numeric authentication.
  • Cryptographic Authentication Credentials, such as:
    • Passkey for passwordless cryptographic authentication.
    • Digital Certificate for PKI-based authentication.
    • SSH Key for secure shell authentication.
  • Token-Based Authentication Credentials, such as:
    • OAuth Token for delegated authorization.
    • JWT Token for stateless authentication.
    • Session Token for web session management.
  • Biometric Authentication Credentials, such as:
    • Fingerprint Template for fingerprint authentication.
    • Face Recognition Template for facial authentication.
    • Voice Print for voice authentication.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Authorization Token, which grants permissions rather than establishing identity.
  • Encryption Key, which protects data confidentiality rather than verifying user identity.
  • Digital Signature, which proves message authenticity rather than user authentication.
  • Access Control List, which defines permissions rather than serving as credentials.
• See: Authentication System, Security Protocol, Encryption Key, Public Key Cryptography, Password Manager System, Identity Management System, OAuth Access Delegation Standard, Multi-Factor Authentication, Biometric Authentication.

---