Stateful Authentication
Stateful authentication is a security mechanism where the server maintains session state for each authenticated user, typically using session identifiers stored in cookies or tokens. It relies on server-side storage of session data to track user login status and permissions across requests. This approach contrasts with stateless authentication, where each request must contain all necessary authentication information.
Developers should use stateful authentication when building traditional web applications that require server-managed sessions, such as e-commerce sites, banking platforms, or content management systems. It's particularly useful for scenarios needing server-side control over session revocation, real-time permission updates, or compliance with regulatory requirements that mandate centralized session management.