The "aud" (audience) claim in identity, authentication, and authorization is a crucial component that ensures tokens are directed towards the intended recipient. It prevents unauthorized access by verifying that the token was meant for a specific system or service. When an authentication server creates a token, it includes the "aud" claim, which is then checked on the receiving end to prevent interception attempts. The inclusion of the "aud" claim helps ensure that tokens can only be used by their intended recipient, thereby enhancing security and preventing potential misuses.