Agent-First Authentication

Definition ∞ Agent-First Authentication refers to a security model where autonomous software agents are the primary entities authenticated within a system, rather than human users. This approach prioritizes the verifiable identity and permissions of an agent for interacting with resources or executing operations. It involves cryptographic methods to confirm an agent’s authenticity and its authorized scope of action. This system supports secure machine-to-machine interactions.
Context ∞ The concept of agent-first authentication is gaining traction with the rise of decentralized autonomous agents and the machine economy, necessitating robust identity solutions for non-human actors. Debates focus on the design of secure, scalable, and privacy-preserving authentication protocols for agents. This model is considered essential for establishing trust and control in increasingly automated digital environments.