Capterra Glossary
Token
The term token varies in meaning depending on industry context.
In the computer programming industry, a token can be described as the building block of a programming language. There are five categories of tokens including constants, identifiers, operators, separators, and reserved words that can be used to write computer code.
In the computer networking industry, a token is a data frame that is transmitted between network points on a token ring network. Token ring networks prevent data packets from colliding on a network, and only allow token holders to send data to other computers. Token rings are not commonly used today, as most businesses opt to use Ethernet technology to provide a local area network for their computer devices.
In the cryptocurrency industry, tokens represent a digital or physical asset on the blockchain.
In the cybersecurity industry, a security token is a physical or digital device used as a form of user identification to provide access to a computer system or application that uses two-factor authentication. Sometimes security tokens take the form of radio frequency identification (RFID) smart cards that are used to access company buildings.
What Small and Midsize Businesses Need to Know About Token
Programmers at tech startups often use tokens to compose complex computer source code that serves as the foundation of desktops and mobile applications.
Small companies that accept cryptocurrency as payment often possess a cryptocurrency wallet full of tokens that can be exchanged for fiat money such as U.S. dollars.
Small and midsize businesses with physical office spaces or that operate in coworking environments often use security tokens to provide access to their coworking spaces. Typically, these security tokens come in the form of an RFID smart card that can be scanned at the entrance, eliminating the need for a doorman to authorize worker IDs.
Related Terms
- Synchronous
- Software as a Service (SaaS)
- Intranet
- Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR)
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Managed Service Provider (MSP)
- Haptics
- WAN (Wide-Area Network)
- Service-oriented Architecture (SOA)
- Augmented Reality (AR)
- Chief Information Officer (CIO)
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
- Platform as a Service (PaaS)
- Service-Level Agreement (SLA)
- Scalability
- Data Center
- Authorization
- Multitenancy