API security

Confidential Client

A confidential client is a client application capable of keeping its own credentials protected during token acquisition.

Definition

A confidential client is a client component that can securely hold authentication material used to identify itself to the authorization server. It is typically used in server-side or controlled runtime environments rather than uncontrolled public endpoints.

The Ariovis perspective

Tokens are part of an access architecture, not a substitute for identity governance or authorization. Their scope, lifetime, validation and revocation must match the risk of the API and user journey.

These concepts matter most inside a real project.

The first conversation helps establish your context, the systems involved and the next useful decision.