A gateway token is a digital credential used in cybersecurity to authenticate and authorize users or applications when accessing a service, application, or API. It acts as a secure pass that verifies the identity of the requester and ensures they have the appropriate permissions to interact with the protected resource. Gateway tokens are often time-limited and can include information such as user roles, access scopes, and expiration times. They help prevent unauthorized access by requiring valid tokens for every request, reducing the risk of credential theft or misuse. Commonly used in API gateways and cloud services, gateway tokens are a key component of modern access control systems.