serverissued

Server-issued refers to credentials, keys, tokens, or other authentication materials that are created and provided by a server to a client or device, rather than being generated by the client itself. This model is common in distributed systems where the server controls access and identity management, enabling centralized policy enforcement and lifecycle management.

Common forms of server-issued materials include certificates, API access tokens, and device enrollment credentials. Examples include tokens issued by an authorization server for API access, certificates or keys issued by a PKI system for mutual authentication, and host or device credentials generated during enrollment. In some systems, servers may also generate ephemeral session credentials that expire after a short period to reduce risk.

The issuance process typically involves an authenticated request from the client or device, followed by policy checks, provisioning, and secure delivery. Once issued, the materials are stored by the client in a secure location and presented to the server or service when authentication or encryption is required. Lifecycle management covers renewal, rotation, revocation, and auditability to respond to compromise or changes in policy.

Security considerations are central to server-issued credentials. Protective measures include strong key management, secure transmission during issuance, enforceable expiration, revocation mechanisms, access controls on issuance, and monitoring for anomalous use. Proper storage and backup on clients, along with secure handling during rotation, are essential to minimize exposure if a credential is compromised.

Server-issued credentials are often contrasted with client-issued credentials, where the client generates its own secrets. The server-issued model centralizes control, simplifies revocation and policy enforcement, and is common in API ecosystems, enterprise device enrollment, and secure communications architectures. See also: TLS, PKI, OAuth, API tokens, device management.