---
sourceDocument: Brazil Platform security
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/platform-security

 Release :

    - brazil

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Brazil Platform security

ft:clusterId :

    - psec

bundleId :

    - psec

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# API authentication

# API authentication {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Brazil  
Updated September 10, 2026  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read  
Authentication configurations for API.

API based authentication in ServiceNow validates the identity of a user who accesses an instance, and then authorizes the user to features that match the user's role or job function while making an API call to the ServiceNow instance.

Following are the types of API authentication in ServiceNow:

* [Certificate based authentication](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/Cwt187Yq1Pw4yL8CIfxi4Q "Certificate-based authentication lets you mutually authenticate inbound API requests using certificates from a trusted certificate authority (CA).")
* [OAuth](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/GZfE9Msa09GX5DEYE1j6fA "OAuth based authentication validates the identity of the client that attempts to establish a trust on the system by using an authentication protocol.")
* [Token-based authentication](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/6GzgHnBE2s2xkyfnwY9JZg "Token-based authentication for inbound REST APIs configuration using API Key or HMAC.")
{#api-authentication__ul_ywb_32b_tzb}