Identity-token

An 'identity-token' is a digital credential, often cryptographically signed, that verifies the identity of a user or service. It is used in authentication and authorization processes to grant access to resources. The token typically contains claims (pieces of information) about the subject it represents, such as username, roles, and permissions. It enables secure communication and eliminates the need for repeated password entries, facilitating single sign-on (SSO) experiences and improving overall security posture by employing a standardized format for identity proofing and federation across different systems and applications. Its usage has grown exponentially with the proliferation of cloud-based services and API-driven architectures. They promote trust by verifying the authenticity and the authorization of the parties involved in each transaction.

Identity-token meaning with examples

• Upon logging into the company's cloud platform, the user receives an identity-token issued by the authentication service. This token contains claims indicating the user's role (e.g., employee, manager) and the resources they are authorized to access. The token is used by other company resources to determine what the user can do, such as access sales data, and what actions are permitted.
• A web application uses an identity-token after a successful login to allow the user to access protected API endpoints. The application includes the token in the request header, allowing the server to verify the user's identity and permissions. This secure exchange avoids the repeated entry of login details, improves user convenience and eliminates password vulnerability.
• A mobile application leverages identity-tokens to provide a seamless user experience across various features. Following initial authentication through a social login like Google or Facebook, an identity-token grants the application permission to access the user's account data. The token lifecycle (refreshing/invalidating it) secures these interactions and protects against any replay attacks.
• An e-commerce platform relies on identity-tokens to facilitate secure online transactions. When a customer adds items to their cart and proceeds to checkout, the platform uses an identity-token to verify the customer's identity, validate their payment information, and authorize the transaction with the bank or payment gateway. This ensures secure exchanges.
• In a microservices architecture, the identity-token acts as a bridge of trust between distinct services. After a user authenticates with an entry service, this service issues an identity-token. Then, this token is passed to downstream services so each service can safely and easily identify who is making the request and allow it only if its token is valid.