Which authentication service uses ticket-granting tickets as part of its process?

Kerberos is an authentication service that uses ticket-granting tickets (TGTs) as a core part of its authentication process. In a typical Kerberos workflow, when a user logs in, they are issued a TGT by the Key Distribution Center (KDC). This ticket serves as proof of the user's identity and allows them to request access to various services without needing to log in again for each service.

Once the user has a TGT, they can request service tickets for accessing specific resources on the network. This method provides a secure way to manage authentication, as tickets have a limited lifespan and can be revoked, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Kerberos' reliance on tickets enhances security by minimizing the need for plaintext passwords to be transmitted over the network, thus protecting against eavesdropping and replay attacks. Furthermore, it employs strong cryptographic techniques to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of the authentication process. This combination of features makes Kerberos an effective choice for managing authentication in environments where secure single sign-on is necessary.