Mutual Transport Layer Security (mTLS) is a security protocol that enhances standard TLS by requiring both parties to authenticate each other using digital certificates. This mutual authentication establishes trust and confirms the identities of both parties in communication, significantly decreasing the chances of unauthorized access and data breaches. mTLS mitigates risks such as "man-in-the-middle" attacks and ensures confidentiality, flexibility, and alignment with zero-trust security principles. It is a robust security measure that offers enhanced protection and authentication in communication channels, but also introduces system design complexity due to certificate management and key distribution challenges.