Credentials are authentication information used to verify user identity and grant access to systems and resources.

What are Credentials?

Credentials are authentication information that includes usernames, passwords, tokens, certificates, and other elements used to verify identity and grant access.

Types of Credentials

Basic

  • Username/Password: Username/Password
  • PIN: Personal identification number
  • Security Questions: Security questions
  • Biometric Data: Biometric data

Advanced

  • Digital Certificates: Digital certificates
  • Tokens: Tokens
  • Smart Cards: Smart cards
  • Hardware Tokens: Hardware tokens

Multifactor

  • SMS Codes: SMS codes
  • Email Codes: Email codes
  • Authenticator Apps: Authenticator apps
  • Hardware Keys: Hardware keys

Credential Management

Creation

  • User Registration: User registration
  • Credential Generation: Credential generation
  • Initial Setup: Initial setup
  • Documentation: Documentation

Storage

  • Secure Storage: Secure storage
  • Encryption: Encryption
  • Hashing: Hashing
  • Key Management: Key management

Validation

  • Authentication: Authentication
  • Authorization: Authorization
  • Session Management: Session management
  • Access Control: Access control

Security

Protection

  • Encryption: Encryption
  • Hashing: Hashing
  • Salt: Salt
  • Key Derivation: Key derivation

Policies

  • Password Policies: Password policies
  • Expiration: Expiration
  • Complexity: Complexity
  • History: History

Monitoring

  • Access Logging: Access logging
  • Failed Attempts: Failed attempts
  • Anomaly Detection: Anomaly detection
  • Audit Trails: Audit trails

Tools

Management

  • Identity Management: Identity management
  • Password Managers: Password managers
  • SSO Solutions: SSO solutions
  • MFA Solutions: MFA solutions

Security

  • Encryption Tools: Encryption tools
  • Key Management: Key management
  • Security Monitoring: Security monitoring
  • Audit Tools: Audit tools

Authentication

  • Authentication Servers: Authentication servers
  • LDAP: Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
  • Active Directory: Active Directory
  • RADIUS: Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service

Best Practices

Creation

  • Strong Passwords: Strong passwords
  • Unique Credentials: Unique credentials
  • Regular Updates: Regular updates
  • Secure Generation: Secure generation

Storage

  • Encrypted Storage: Encrypted storage
  • Secure Transmission: Secure transmission
  • Access Control: Access control
  • Backup Security: Backup security

Management

  • Regular Rotation: Regular rotation
  • Access Reviews: Access reviews
  • Monitoring: Monitoring
  • Incident Response: Incident response

Use Cases

Enterprises

  • Employee Access: Employee access
  • System Administration: System administration
  • Application Access: Application access
  • Network Access: Network access

Applications

  • Web Applications: Web applications
  • Mobile Apps: Mobile apps
  • Desktop Applications: Desktop applications
  • API Access: API access

Services

  • Cloud Services: Cloud services
  • SaaS Applications: SaaS applications
  • Database Access: Database access
  • Network Services: Network services

Standards

Security

  • NIST Guidelines: NIST guidelines
  • ISO 27001: ISO 27001
  • PCI DSS: PCI DSS
  • GDPR: GDPR

Technology

  • OAuth: OAuth
  • SAML: Security Assertion Markup Language
  • OpenID Connect: OpenID Connect
  • JWT: JSON Web Tokens
  • Active Directory - System that manages credentials
  • CISO - Role that supervises credentials
  • Hardening - Hardening that includes credentials
  • SIEM - System that monitors credentials
  • SOAR - Credential automation
  • EDR - Tool that protects credentials
  • Antivirus - Tool that protects credentials
  • Firewall - Device that manages credentials
  • VPN - Connection that uses credentials
  • Logs - Credential logs
  • Dashboards - Credential visualization
  • Incident Response - Process that includes credentials

References