Kerberos
Kerberos: Ticket-based protocol for secure authentication in insecure networks. The term is central to identity and authorization controls. In practice, clear policies, loggingLoggingThe recording of security-relevant events so activity can be monitored, investigated, and audited., regular review, and the strongest possible authentication are crucial.
How it works and where it fits
Kerberos separates the subject, digital identity, authentication factor, and authorization decision. Authentication establishes who or what is presenting an identity; authorization then determines which action is permitted in the current context. Session state, device trust, request origin, and risk signals can further influence that decision.
Practical security relevance
Effective implementation requires a controlled identity lifecycle from creation through role and entitlement changes to suspension and removal. Strong authentication, least privilege, periodic recertification, and traceable logs are central. Controls must also identify abuse of legitimate accounts, because valid credentials alone do not prove that an action is legitimate.
Related concepts
- Pass-the-TicketPass-the-TicketMisuse of stolen Kerberos tickets to assume an identity.: Misuse of stolen Kerberos tickets to assume an identity.
- Active DirectoryActive DirectoryMicrosoft directory service for the centralized management of identities and resources.: Microsoft directory service for the centralized management of identities and resources.
- AuthenticationAuthenticationVerification of the claimed identity of a user or system.: Verification of the claimed identity of a user or system.
- Lightweight Directory Access ProtocolLightweight Directory Access ProtocolProtocol for querying and modifying distributed directory services.: Protocol for querying and modifying distributed directory services.