#authentication Authentication in the data security industry refers to the process of verifying the identity of individuals or entities accessing a system, network, or application. It is a crucial aspect of ensuring data security and preventing unauthorized access. Authentication involves presenting credentials, such as passwords, biometric information (like fingerprints or facial recognition), smart cards, or tokens, to prove one's identity. These credentials are compared against stored records in a database to determine if the individual is authorized to access the requested resources. The primary goal of authentication is to establish trust and confidence in the identity of users before granting them access to sensitive data or valuable resources. By implementing strong authentication measures, organizations can mitigate the risk of unauthorized access and protect their data from potential threats such as hacking, data breaches, or identity theft. Common authentication methods include: 1. Password-based authentication: This involves users providing a unique combination of characters known only to them. 2. Multi-factor authentication (MFA): In addition to passwords, MFA requires users to provide additional forms of identification like SMS codes, fingerprint scans, or security tokens. 3. Biometric authentication: This uses unique physical characteristics like fingerprints, facial features, iris patterns, or voice recognition for identification. 4. Certificate-based authentication: This relies on digital certificates issued by trusted authorities to verify the authenticity of users. 5. Single sign-on (SSO): SSO allows users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple systems or applications without re-entering credentials repeatedly. Effective authentication mechanisms are essential for safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining data integrity within organizations and across digital platforms. # References ```dataview Table title as Title, authors as Authors where contains(subject, "Authentication") ```