Authentication is a crucial aspect in ensuring secure access to Weaviate servers. It involves sending a "secret" from a client to verify its identity and determine the level of access allowed. Balancing security with usability can be challenging, as different users have varying needs and systems. Recently, an API key-based authentication method has been introduced for better security and ease of use. Weaviate offers several authentication options such as anonymous, API key, and OIDC (OpenID Connect) authentication. The choice depends on the user's requirements and system setup.