# Basic Authentication

## Overview

A **Username** and **Password** combination provides the simplest form of Authentication. While widely implemented across applications, *it is generally recognized as the lowest level of security.*

A Username and Password required for the Aisera Platform can either come from an existing account or a specially created service account. The latter is recommended as it allows for more precise control over permissions and security. You can create these service accounts in your Identity Provider (IdP) or third-party application, then provide the credentials to the Aisera Platform similar to how you would for a regular user account.

{% hint style="warning" %}
If available, it is best practice to use a more robust form of authentication.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/O3YA3pwCK15vLjCJh1gy" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Fields

Basic authentication includes the following fields:

<table><thead><tr><th width="155">Field</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Access Token</td><td>An access token provided by an external system used in place of a username password combination</td></tr><tr><td>Username</td><td>In most cases, this field represents the username of a user for the external system</td></tr><tr><td>Password</td><td>In most cases, this field represents the password of a user for the external system</td></tr><tr><td>Use Raw Token</td><td>Only select this  checkbox when the prefix ‘Bearer' or 'Basic’ has not been added as a prefix in the Authorization header</td></tr></tbody></table>

{% hint style="warning" %}
As a best practice, use the **Token** authentication type for **Access Tokens**.

Only use an **Access Token** with **Basic** authentication if you require the **Use Raw Token** configuration, *as this setting is not currently available in the **Token** authentication type*.
{% endhint %}


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