---
title: Authentication Policy
description: This is an abstract object type that cannot be instantiated.
component: pingds
version: 8.1
page_id: pingds:configref:objects-authentication-policy
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingds/8.1/configref/objects-authentication-policy.html
section_ids:
  authentication_policies: Authentication Policies
  dependencies: Dependencies
  authentication_policy_properties: Authentication Policy properties
  basic_properties: Basic properties
  java-class: java-class
---

# Authentication Policy

*This is an abstract object type that cannot be instantiated.*

Authentication Policies define the policies which should be used for authenticating users and managing the password and other account related state.

## Authentication Policies

The following Authentication Policies are available:

* [LDAP Pass Through Authentication Policy](objects-ldap-pass-through-authentication-policy.html)

* [Password Policy](objects-password-policy.html)

These Authentication Policies inherit the properties described below.

## Dependencies

The following objects depend on Authentication Policies:

* [Global Configuration](objects-global.html)

## Authentication Policy properties

You can use configuration expressions to set property values at startup time. For details, see [Property value substitution](expressions.html).

| Basic Properties          |
| ------------------------- |
| [java-class](#java-class) |

### Basic properties

Use the `--advanced` option to access advanced properties.

### java-class

|                         |                                                                                                               |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| *Synopsis*              | Specifies the fully-qualified name of the Java class which provides the Authentication Policy implementation. |
| *Default value*         | None                                                                                                          |
| *Allowed values*        | A Java class that extends or implements:- org.opends.server.api.AuthenticationPolicyFactory                   |
| *Multi-valued*          | No                                                                                                            |
| *Required*              | Yes                                                                                                           |
| *Admin action required* | The object must be disabled and re-enabled for changes to take effect.                                        |
| *Advanced*              | No                                                                                                            |
| *Read-only*             | No                                                                                                            |