Balancing Trust and Identity in Modern Authentication Systems
Introduction to Authentication Visual Overview: graph TB subgraph "Authentication Methods" Auth[Authentication] --> Password[Password] Auth --> MFA[Multi-Factor] Auth --> Passwordless[Passwordless] MFA --> TOTP[TOTP] MFA --> SMS[SMS OTP] MFA --> Push[Push Notification] Passwordless --> FIDO2[FIDO2/WebAuthn] Passwordless --> Biometric[Biometrics] Passwordless --> Magic[Magic Link] end style Auth fill:#667eea,color:#fff style MFA fill:#764ba2,color:#fff style Passwordless fill:#4caf50,color:#fff In the digital age, authentication is the cornerstone of secure access. It ensures that only authorized individuals can access sensitive systems and data. At its core, authentication balances two critical elements: trust and identity. Trust verifies that a user is who they claim to be, while identity confirms who that user is. This balance is essential for maintaining security and usability in authentication systems. ...