How does Sitecore support user authentication?

Sitecore supports user authentication primarily by leveraging its membership provider system, which allows for the management of user accounts and roles seamlessly. This built-in functionality provides the foundation for user authentication processes within a Sitecore environment. Additionally, Sitecore's flexibility enables integration with various external identity providers, such as OAuth and OpenID Connect. This means organizations can authenticate users using credentials from platforms like Google, Facebook, or LinkedIn, offering a simplified and secure login experience.

This approach not only enhances security by allowing the use of established identity providers, but it also improves user convenience by letting users log in with accounts they may already have. This integration capability aligns with modern development practices, making it easier to implement complex authentication scenarios without needing custom solutions.

The other options either present overly restrictive methods of managing authentication or miss the flexibility and security that Sitecore’s membership provider and external identity integrations offer.