Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or device, typically through a username and password, biometrics, or security token.

What is authentication?

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or device attempting to access a system, application, or data. It most commonly involves a username and password, but increasingly includes additional methods – such as biometrics (e.g., fingerprint), security tokens, mobile apps, or multi-factor authentication (MFA). The goal is to confirm that the person accessing the system is truly who they claim to be.

How authentication appears in practice

Examples of real-world scenarios:

• An employee logs into company email using a password and a verification code from a mobile app.
• Access to an internal application requires a chip card and a PIN.
• A system requests a fingerprint scan before showing sensitive data.
• VPN login requires a username, password, and an SMS code.
• An IT administrator uses a physical security token to manage servers.

These examples show that authentication is a key element of protection. It’s no longer enough to assume that "knowing the password" proves identity – a layered approach makes it much harder for attackers to succeed.

Authentication, authorization and identification – what’s the difference?

• Identification
  The user states who they are – e.g., by entering a username.
• Authentication
  The system checks that the user is truly who they say they are – e.g., by verifying a password or fingerprint.
• Authorization
  After authentication, the system determines what the user is allowed to do – e.g., view invoices or manage accounts.

Understanding these distinctions is essential for proper access control. Authentication is just one step – but without it, authorization can’t work securely.

How to implement effective authentication in your company

Recommended steps:

1. Audit current login methods used across the organization.
2. Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) for all critical systems.
3. Restrict the use of weak or shared passwords.
4. Adopt modern authentication tools – such as biometrics, tokens, and mobile apps.
5. Define password expiration and recovery policies.
6. Train employees on secure handling of login credentials.
7. Monitor and log login activity – early detection of anomalies can prevent breaches.

Many companies treat authentication as a checkbox, but without consistent management and evaluation, its effectiveness quickly weakens. Today’s threats go far beyond guessing simple passwords. That’s why companies must shift toward modern, layered authentication that can withstand even sophisticated attack attempts. Authentication is fundamental – but execution is everything.