authname

AuthName is a name-based authentication framework designed to standardize the identification of principals by a distinctive user name or alias. It defines a canonical identity form, validation rules for acceptable names, and a token-based mechanism to prove control of that name across systems. Intended to be interoperable with existing authentication pipelines, AuthName can operate with local directory services or external identity providers and supports both synchronous and asynchronous verification.

Architecture and components: core elements include the Identity Name Registry, the Credential Store, and the Token Service. The Identity Name Registry maintains the namespace for valid AuthNames and enforces uniqueness and format constraints. The Token Service issues short-lived tokens after successful name verification, with support for refresh. A Policy Engine applies organizational rules for consent, multi-factor prerequisites, and access scopes. The design emphasizes privacy controls and auditability.

Implementation and usage: AuthName is described in language-agnostic specifications and has reference implementations in multiple languages. Typical workflow: register a namespace, create a user AuthName, complete verification, and acquire a token for services. It is commonly used in enterprise environments to streamline identity provisioning and to decouple naming from underlying identifiers. Security considerations include protecting the name registry, preventing name impersonation, and aligning with consent requirements.

See also: authentication, identity management, token-based authentication, OAuth, SAML.