Authentication is the process by which a system verifies whether someone truly is who they claim to be. Without authentication, anyone could log in to any account — making it the first line of defence in Identity & Access Management.

The most well-known form of authentication is using a username and password. That seems simple, but in modern organisations it is often more complex: employees use dozens of applications, each with its own login methods. IAM platforms like Joinly ensure that authentication is centrally managed.

Authentication can occur via different standards: SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect. These protocols dictate how identity is exchanged between systems. This allows someone to safely log into services like Microsoft 365, without every system needing to know the password.

Strong authentication goes beyond just passwords. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds a second proof, such as an SMS code or app notification. This significantly reduces the risk of misuse of stolen login credentials.

Thus, authentication forms the foundation for every secure digital environment. Without reliable authentication, there can be no reliable authorisation.

In short: Authentication determines who you are and forms the foundation of all access.