Authentication and Mutual Authentication

Abstract

In a sensitive environment, it is common to implement user authentication, possibly based on several factors, in order to ensure only authorized users have access to restricted features or information. But today more and more devices are interacting directly to perform some actions, or deliver a high level service to their user, like in smart grid and more generally in machine to machine environments. This raises the need for device authentication and, by extension, mutual device authentication. Highest confidence level should be achieved by ensuring both user and devices are allowed to engage in a transaction.