WIKI / introductory

Authentication surface

Mapping the states, transitions and recovery paths governing access to an application.

Authentication is a set of states, not a single screen. It includes enrolment, sign-in, second factors, recovery, identity changes and sign-out.

Build the map

List possible transitions and the proof required by each. Include mobile applications, APIs, identity providers and legacy flows.

Invariants

Define properties that should always hold: recovery should invalidate previous proof, a sensitive change should require sufficient context and sign-out should end the intended access.

State evidence

Record the identity, channel, issued artefacts and result. Test only with authorised accounts and data.