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How Separate Identity Layers Can Secure AI Agent Transactions

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AI agents introduce multiple identity questions beyond simple user authentication, including which agent is acting, which workload made the call, and what transaction is involved. Conflating these into a single token creates security risks, as a logical agent name or transaction ID is not cryptographic proof of the underlying process. The Transaction Tokens architecture, implemented via Tokenetes, addresses this by issuing a short-lived, signed token at a controlled boundary that carries immutable identity and authorization context for an entire call chain. Cryptographically verified workload identities via SPIFFE and mTLS authenticate each network hop independently, while the token itself remains unchanged as it passes downstream. This approach combines existing user, workload, delegation, and policy controls without merging their distinct responsibilities.

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