Autentikaatioon

Autentikaatioon, known more commonly in English as authentication, is the process of verifying the identity of a user, system, or device. It is a fundamental security mechanism used across various digital and physical systems. The goal of authentication is to ensure that only authorized entities can access resources or perform specific actions.

There are several common methods of authentication. One is knowledge-based authentication, where the entity proves its identity by providing something it knows, such as a password or a PIN. Another is possession-based authentication, which relies on proving ownership of a physical item, like a security token, a smart card, or a mobile phone. Finally, inherence-based authentication, often referred to as biometrics, involves verifying identity through unique biological characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial features, or iris scans.

In practice, authentication often employs multi-factor authentication (MFA), which combines two or more of these methods to provide a higher level of security. For example, logging in with both a password and a one-time code sent to a phone is an example of MFA. The strength and reliability of the authentication process are crucial for protecting sensitive data and preventing unauthorized access.