What is two-way authentication?

Two-way authentication is a security process that verifies the identity of both parties involved in a transaction. This method is essential in today’s digital landscape as it enhances security by ensuring that both the user and the server (or another entity) authenticate each other, thereby reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

In practice, this typically involves both parties providing credentials or authentication factors. For example, a user might enter a password as their first factor, while the system may send a verification code to the user's mobile device to confirm their identity. This mutual verification process helps prevent attacks such as man-in-the-middle attacks, where an unauthorized party might intercept communication between the two parties.

By confirming the identities of both participants, two-way authentication adds a robust layer of security compared to one-way methods, where only the user is verified, leaving the entity potentially vulnerable. This concept is pivotal in secure communications and transactions, ensuring trust in electronic interactions.