# 3D Secure authentication

Reduce fraud and meet regulatory requirements through 3D Secure (3DS) authentication.

*3D Secure* (3D Secure (3DS) provides an additional layer of authentication for credit card transactions that protects businesses from liability for fraudulent card payments) (3DS) is an authentication protocol that adds an additional security layer to card transactions. By verifying that the person making a purchase is the legitimate cardholder, 3DS helps protect both your business and your customers from fraudulent activity. When 3DS is activated, the issuing bank might request cardholders authenticate—typically through a familiar security prompt like a password, one-time code sent to their mobile device, or biometric verification. Customers may recognize this process through card network branding such as Visa Secure, Mastercard Identity Check or American Express SafeKey.

The *Strong Customer Authentication* (Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) is a regulatory requirement in effect as of September 14, 2019, that impacts many European online payments. It requires customers to use two-factor authentication like 3D Secure to verify their purchase) (SCA) regulation, as part of PSD2 in the EEA and similar regulations in the UK, India, Japan, and Australia, might require using 3DS for card payments. 3DS is optional in other regions but you can still use it as a tool to reduce fraud.

[Authenticate with 3D Secure natively](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/3d-secure/authentication-flow.md): Integrate 3D Secure (3DS) into your checkout flow.

[SCA Exemptions](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/3d-secure/strong-customer-authentication-exemptions.md): Use SCA exemptions and Data Only to reduce cardholder friction on eligible transactions.

[Standalone 3D Secure](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/3d-secure/standalone-three-d-secure.md): Run 3D Secure on Stripe while processing the subsequent payment on a third-party gateway.

[Import 3D Secure results](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/payment-intents/three-d-secure-import.md): Process payments when 3D Secure (3DS) runs outside of Stripe.

[Payment analytics](https://docs.stripe.com/payments/analytics.md): Learn how 3D Secure affects your payment success rate in the Dashboard.