# Authentication **Domain:** Identity Systems / Cybersecurity / Access Control **Doc Type:** Canonical Concept Node **Maturity:** Foundational ## Definition **Authentication** is the process of establishing that a person, device, service or credential is the entity it claims to be. ## Continuity Context Authentication connects identity to permissions and records. If recovery email, phone number, administrator account or trusted device is compromised, the recovery mechanism can become an attack path. ## See Also [[wiki/Credential Compromise|Credential Compromise]], [[wiki/Identity Theft|Identity Theft]], [[wiki/Operational Security|Operational Security]]