What is the main purpose of authentication in identity management?

The main purpose of authentication in identity management is to verify user identity and establish trust. Authentication is the first step in the process of confirming that a user is indeed who they claim to be, typically through methods such as passwords, biometrics, or digital certificates. This verification process ensures that only authorized individuals gain access to information or resources. By establishing the identity of a user, organizations can ensure that users are granted the appropriate level of access based on their verified identity, thereby maintaining security and trust within the system.

While elements like access control, logging user actions, and managing user roles are important aspects of identity management, they are secondary to the foundational process of authentication, which is critical for any effective access control system. Without accurate authentication, other measures cannot be reliably implemented, as there would be no certainty about who is accessing resources.