NIST announces the release of Draft NISTIR 8344, Ontology for Authentication, for public comment. This draft document is the result of an effort to define authentication by examining mechanisms used to prove position or membership; analyzing existing methods, tools, and techniques; and developing an abstract representation of authentication features and services. Basic mechanisms used to accomplish authentication are identified and discussed in general terms. While most authentication mechanisms utilize cryptography, specific implementations of the cryptography are left to standards that address the authentication mechanism and are not included in this document.

The public comment period is open through April 9, 2021. See the publication details for a copy of the draft and instructions for submitting comments.

NOTE: A call for patent claims is included on page v of this draft. For additional information, see the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Patent Policy--Inclusion of Patents in ITL Publications.