What is the purpose of an Authentication Tag in AEAD encryption schemes? AEAD encryption schemes produce something referred to as an "authentication tag." What does this tag consist of, what is its purpose, and is the tag itself human-readable data such as a plaintext string or is it cipher text?
What does this tag consist of ... is the tag itself human-readable data


It will most likely be a string of random looking bits. It is not intended or required for humans to participate in the verification process.


  what is its purpose


The algorithm uses it to verify whether or not the ciphertext and/or associated data have been modified.

If either the ciphertext or associated data has been modified, then the procedure that re-computes the validation tag on the receiving end will end up generating a different tag. The algorithm will check the re-computed tag against the tag that was bundled with the ciphertext and associated data (which collectively can be referred to as a "cryptogram").

If the tags don't match, that means some part of the ciphertext and/or associated data have been modified.

If the tags do match, that means that no part of the ciphertext and/or associated data have been modified*

* at least, there is a a high probability assuming that the keys have not been compromised and the authentication scheme is secure