Mutual authentication allows both parties in electronic communication to verify each other’s identity. It is used in private and public networks to prevent fraud and identity theft. TLS protocol is commonly used for mutual authentication.
Sometimes referred to as two-way authentication, mutual authentication is an approach within the electronic communication process that allows both the point of origin and the point of termination of a communications link to verify or authenticate each other. This is a common process that is part of the basic function of many different communication systems, both private and public. The essential reason for mutual authentication is to ensure that both parties are communicating with legitimate entities and not with one party trying to look like someone else.
Within a private network environment, such as within the confines of a company, mutual authentication functions as a means for the client to verify or authenticate the server. This helps the customer or end user to know that he is connecting with the corporate server and will be able to access any data on the server that is allowed with his login credentials. At the same time, the server will authenticate the client, verifying the entered credentials and permissions against the profile created for the client. If everything seems to be in order, communication will continue. However, if the client or server detects anything suspicious, the communication link usually drops as a security measure.
More and more companies are using mutual authentication to protect both the company and customers from online fraud, identity theft and other problems. For example, many financial institutions require not only a username and password to access accounts in an online environment, but also an additional level of identification, such as the ability to identify the computer that the end user typically uses to access the site . If your computer is not recognized, security measures may require so-called two-factor authentication. This additional layer can be an image associated with the customer’s profile or a similar additional mechanism that the end user must respond to before access is granted.
The basic method of engaging in mutual authentication involves the use of the so-called Transport Layer Security protocol. Essentially, this type of protocol works to allow the server to identify the most recent timestamp and other data associated with the client. If the supposed client is actually a phishing site, TLS will detect that something is wrong and drop the connection.
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