Authentication Security Pattern

Authentication verifies that a subject (user, service, device) is who they claim to be before allowing system access. This pattern is a prerequisite for authorization and auditing.

When to Use

Use this pattern when:

• Designing a new login or identity verification system
• Reviewing existing authentication mechanisms for flaws
• Integrating with external identity providers (OAuth, SAML)
• Implementing API authentication (keys, tokens)
• Establishing audit trails for user actions

Core Components

Roles