What is mutual TLS (mTLS), and why is it important in microservices security?

Short answer: Mutual TLS (mTLS) is an authentication protocol where both the client and server authenticate each other using TLS certificates. How it works: Server Authentication: The client verifies that it is communicating with the legitimate server by checking the server's certificate. Client Authentication: The server also verifies that the client is legitimate by checking the client's certificate. Importance in Microservices:

Real-world example (ShopNest)

ShopNest splits Catalog, Cart, Order, and Payment into services so teams can deploy catalog changes without redeploying payments.

Say this in the interview

1. Define — one clear sentence (the short answer above).
2. Example — relate it to a project like ShopNest or your real work.
3. Trade-off — when you would not use it.