Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The 'Header' part of a JSON Web Token (JWT) typically contains information about the type of token and the signing algorithm used. This header is critical because it informs the receiving party about how to interpret the token and verify its signature. The most common signing algorithms specified in the header include HMAC SHA256 or RSA, which are essential for ensuring the integrity and authenticity of the token.

Understanding this role of the header is fundamental in JWT structure, as it acts as an initial guideline for handling the token correctly. Since the JWT is a standardized way of transmitting information securely, different headers can imply using different methods for signing and verifying the content, which is pivotal for maintaining the security of the data being exchanged.