Mutual Authentication with mTLS

Mutual authentication, also known as two-way authentication, is a security process in which both parties in a communication verify each other's identity. This helps to ensure that the communication is secure and that the parties involved are who they claim to be.

In a typical mutual authentication process, both parties present their own credentials, such as a digital certificate or username and password, to the other party. Each party then verifies the authenticity of the other party's credentials. If both parties are authenticated, the communication can proceed securely. If either party fails authentication, the communication is terminated.

Mutual authentication is often used in secure communications, such as online banking, e-commerce transactions, and VPN connections. By requiring mutual authentication, organizations can ensure that sensitive information is transmitted only to trusted parties and that unauthorized users are not able to intercept or modify the communication.

In addition to improving security, mutual authentication can also help to prevent man-in-the-middle attacks, in which an attacker intercepts and alters a communication between two parties. By requiring mutual authentication, both parties can be confident that they are communicating directly with each other and not with an attacker.

For more information, read about:

• Upstream mTLS

• Client-side mTLS