Authentication is important component of IAM. It’s the process of verifying identity of a user or a system. In simple words, Authentication is about confirming a user's identity by asking "is this really you"?
Strategies for Implementing Authentication in Applications
When it comes to embedding authentication into your app, there are two primary routes you can take:
Custom Authentication: This approach involves creating your own authentication mechanism. It offers full control over the authentication process, enabling you to tailor it to your app’s specific needs and to the unique demands of your user base. However, it requires a significant investment in terms of development and maintenance, with a high level of expertise needed to ensure its security and efficiency.
Authentication as a Service: Alternatively, leveraging authentication services provided by third parties can streamline the process. These services offer robust, battle-tested systems that can be integrated into your app with minimal hassle. They handle the complexities of secure password storage, multi-factor authentication, and compliance with security standards, allowing you to focus on your app’s core features.
Here are some popular options available in the market:
Okta
AuthO
Amazon Cognito
Google firebase.