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A '''credential''' is an attestation of qualification, competence, or authority issued to an individual by a third party with a relevant or ''de facto'' authority or assumed competence to do so.

== Examples ==

Examples of credentials include academic diplomas, academic degrees, certifications, [[security]] clearances, identification documents, badges, passwords, user names, keys, powers of attorney, and so on.

Sometimes publications, such as scientific papers or books, may be viewed as similar to credentials by some people, especially if the publication was peer reviewed or made in a well-known journal or reputable publisher.

== Information systems credentials ==

[[Information system|Information systems]] commonly use credentials to control access to information or other resources.

The classic combination of a user's account number or name and a secret [[password]] is a widely used example of credentials.

An increasing number of information systems use other forms of documentation of credentials, such as biometrics (fingerprints, voice recognition, retinal scans), X.509, public key certificates, and so on.

== See also ==

* [[Computer security]]
* [[Exploit (computer security)]]
* [[Information system]]
* [[Open standard]]
* [[Password]]
* [[Security]]
* [[Technical standard]]
* [[System]]

== External link ==

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credential Credential] @ Wikipedia

[[Category:Computer science]]
[[Category:Information]]
[[Category:Security]]