Description: A Bearer Token is a type of access token that is used to authenticate a user. It is generated by the server in response to a login request and sent to the client, who then includes it in the header of the HTTP request for accessing protected resources. The server validates the token and, if it's valid, grants access to the requested resource. The term "bearer" implies that whoever presents the token has the right to access the resources, hence it's crucial to protect these tokens from unauthorized access. Additional information: A Bearer Token is a type of access token that is used in software programming, particularly in web development, for authentication and authorization purposes. It is a cryptic string of characters that is generated by the server in response to a login request. The client must then include this token in their HTTP header to gain access to protected resources from the server. The term "Bearer" implies that whoever "bears" or possesses the token is considered the authenticated user. This means that the token doesn't inherently contain any information about the identity of the user, it simply authorizes whoever presents it. Therefore, it is crucial to keep these tokens secure to prevent unauthorized access. Bearer Tokens are most commonly used in OAuth 2.0, a protocol that allows third-party services to access user data without requiring the user's password. Instead, the user authenticates directly with the service, which issues the Bearer Token. The token can then be used by the third-party service to access the user's data hosted by the service, within the scope and duration that was granted by the user. The Bearer Token is stateless, meaning it does not require the server to remember any information about the user between requests. All the necessary information is contained within the token itself. This makes it very scalable for large applications, as it minimizes the load on the server. However, because Bearer Tokens can be used by anyone who possesses them, they must be protected to prevent misuse. This is typically done by sending them over HTTPS to encrypt the connection and prevent eavesdropping. Additionally, tokens are often given a limited lifespan before they expire and a new one must be requested. Example: 1. Web Application Authentication: A common use of bearer tokens is in web application authentication. When a user logs into a web application, the server generates a bearer token that represents the user's authentication. This token is then sent back to the client, which stores it and includes it in every subsequent request to the server. The server checks the token to verify the user's identity and ensure they have permission to access the requested resources. 2. Mobile Application Authentication: Similar to web applications, mobile applications also use bearer tokens for user authentication. After a user logs in, the server generates a token and sends it to the mobile app. The app then includes this token in all future requests to the server. 3. API Authentication: Bearer tokens are often used to authenticate requests to APIs. When a client application wants to access an API, it first requests a token from the server. The server generates the token, and the client includes it in the Authorization header of every API request. 4. OAuth 2.0: In OAuth 2.0, an authorization framework, bearer tokens are used as access tokens. After a client application is granted access by a user, the authorization server issues a bearer token to the client. The client can then use this token to access the user's resources on the resource server. 5. Single Sign-On (SSO): In SSO systems, a user logs in once and gains access to multiple systems without being prompted to log in again. This is often achieved using bearer tokens. After the initial login, the authentication server issues a bearer token which the user's client can then present to other systems to gain access. 6. Microservices Communication: In a microservices architecture, individual services often need to communicate with each other. This communication is often secured using bearer tokens. When one service needs to request data from another, it includes a bearer token in the request to authenticate itself. Publisher: EIRA team LOST view: TV-Technical Agreements Identifier: http://data.europa.eu/dr8/egovera/BearerTokenContract EIRA traceability: eira:TechnicalInteroperabilityAgreementContract EIRA concept: eira:SolutionBuildingBlock Last modification: 2023-08-03 dct:identifier: http://data.europa.eu/dr8/egovera/BearerTokenContract dct:title: Bearer Token Contract