What Does Universal Authentication Mean?

Universal authentication is a method for verifying the identity of users and computers on a network without asking for the same identification every time the user moves from site to site. The idea is that a security platform works out all the authentication requirements for all subsequent access to nodes within the same security area so that the user does not have to input his/her security credentials again every time a new node is encountered.

Techopedia Explains Universal Authentication

Universal authentication is the process of allowing a specific user access to security-controlled zones without having to verify his/her identity more than once. This can be thought of as similar to having a security key card that allows one access to every part of the building that one is allowed in. For identity validation, the initial background check one had prior to obtaining a card suffices; thereafter, one just needs his/her security key card. That is what universal authentication is like. As opposed to the authentication scheme that most are currently implementing, which is like having a security guard at every door of the building, checking credentials every time someone enters, even though the person just came out from the room a minute ago.