# Microservices Security (Service Identity/mTLS)
One-sentence definition: Authenticate and authorize service-to-service calls with strong identities and policies.
## Key Facts
- Use service mesh or libraries for mTLS, retries, and policy.
- Per-service identities (SPIFFE-like) map to policies (who can call whom).
- Propagate end-user identity carefully; prevent confused deputy.
- **Verify:** check official (ISC)² CBK and current exam outline.
## Exam Relevance
- Choose mTLS + policy over shared secrets between services.
**Mnemonic:** “**Identity first, then policy**.”
## Mini Scenario
Q: Shared “internal” token used by all services—risk?
A: Lateral abuse; move to per-service mTLS and scoped tokens.
## Revision Checklist
- Identity mechanism.
- Policy example.
- Deputy problem.
## Related
[[Secure Architecture Patterns (Layered Microservices Zero Trust)]] · [[Application Key Management and Secrets Management]] · [[API Security Fundamentals (REST GraphQL gRPC)]] · [[CI CD Security (Runners Secrets Artifacts)]] · [[Domain 8 - Index]]