diff --git a/.secrets.baseline b/.secrets.baseline
index 765a4526c..35236111e 100644
--- a/.secrets.baseline
+++ b/.secrets.baseline
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
     "files": "package-lock.json|^.secrets.baseline$",
     "lines": null
   },
-  "generated_at": "2021-08-17T20:14:30Z",
+  "generated_at": "2021-10-15T14:47:01Z",
   "plugins_used": [
     {
       "name": "AWSKeyDetector"
@@ -119,12 +119,22 @@
         "verified_result": null
       }
     ],
+    "auth/authenticators/authenticator.ts": [
+      {
+        "hashed_secret": "fdee05598fdd57ff8e9ae29e92c25a04f2c52fa6",
+        "is_secret": false,
+        "is_verified": false,
+        "line_number": 39,
+        "type": "Secret Keyword",
+        "verified_result": null
+      }
+    ],
     "auth/authenticators/cloud-pak-for-data-authenticator.ts": [
       {
         "hashed_secret": "d5ff02fa48e492fac0a245ad63d1ae608e705c05",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 70,
+        "line_number": 71,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       },
@@ -132,7 +142,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "8f4bfc22c4fd7cb884f94ec175ff4a3284a174a1",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 71,
+        "line_number": 72,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       }
@@ -142,7 +152,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "8f4bfc22c4fd7cb884f94ec175ff4a3284a174a1",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 69,
+        "line_number": 70,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       }
@@ -312,7 +322,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "2863fa4b5510c46afc2bd2998dfbc0cf3d6df032",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 27,
+        "line_number": 32,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       },
@@ -320,7 +330,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "407bb564bd0e4d31368cb53004c9c42adf8f7be8",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 29,
+        "line_number": 34,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       },
@@ -328,7 +338,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "e38ad214943daad1d64c102faec29de4afe9da3d",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 36,
+        "line_number": 41,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       }
@@ -364,7 +374,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "09f798553f7c035c2915bf8c59b46b6c285d2d84",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 4,
+        "line_number": 20,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       }
@@ -374,7 +384,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "5c5a15a8b0b3e154d77746945e563ba40100681b",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 19,
+        "line_number": 35,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       }
@@ -384,7 +394,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "85dd3fb12cb0dcae03f1bba6fb61f4edd90d986d",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 5,
+        "line_number": 21,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       },
@@ -392,7 +402,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "0c910ad3070d996b37a1c65f542b17adc3f962bc",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 6,
+        "line_number": 22,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       }
@@ -402,7 +412,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "1572bd30ac06678a82df42b5913e5e52e27f9a12",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 15,
+        "line_number": 31,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       },
@@ -410,7 +420,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "16856d955c788df03735a24feb2e3ffefd91f3dc",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 16,
+        "line_number": 32,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       }
@@ -420,7 +430,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "257368587362aab7f1180b4a5fe550ec26053e05",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 14,
+        "line_number": 30,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       },
@@ -428,7 +438,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "5c5a15a8b0b3e154d77746945e563ba40100681b",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 17,
+        "line_number": 33,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       },
@@ -436,7 +446,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "a3bf8418470bbb21ecdb24c28e38b446a3ab9b75",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 48,
+        "line_number": 65,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       },
@@ -444,7 +454,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "2c208e466e476d4d8cbe055832f40f04e4d5dd23",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 53,
+        "line_number": 70,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       },
@@ -452,7 +462,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "945db841c03e42eef2f3d0a4ff310e2f3b3e59ec",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 77,
+        "line_number": 94,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       }
@@ -462,7 +472,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "43ed4c2d8375dfc89e3dc8c917f404b9481d355b",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 5,
+        "line_number": 21,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       }
@@ -472,7 +482,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "43ed4c2d8375dfc89e3dc8c917f404b9481d355b",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 13,
+        "line_number": 29,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       }
@@ -482,7 +492,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "a7ef1be18bb8d37af79f3d87761a203378bf26a2",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 129,
+        "line_number": 145,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       }
@@ -492,7 +502,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "4c65cd3f160d60f7ca28ca04fa60b9035132781c",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 7,
+        "line_number": 23,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       },
@@ -500,7 +510,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "407bb564bd0e4d31368cb53004c9c42adf8f7be8",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 174,
+        "line_number": 204,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       },
@@ -508,7 +518,7 @@
         "hashed_secret": "2863fa4b5510c46afc2bd2998dfbc0cf3d6df032",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 200,
+        "line_number": 230,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       },
@@ -516,13 +526,13 @@
         "hashed_secret": "ed8c99e906cf3fdbae90a71e06142ebc72b4c056",
         "is_secret": false,
         "is_verified": false,
-        "line_number": 218,
+        "line_number": 248,
         "type": "Secret Keyword",
         "verified_result": null
       }
     ]
   },
-  "version": "0.13.1+ibm.40.dss",
+  "version": "0.13.1+ibm.46.dss",
   "word_list": {
     "file": null,
     "hash": null
diff --git a/auth/authenticators/authenticator-interface.ts b/auth/authenticators/authenticator-interface.ts
index b057d7533..92a741c51 100644
--- a/auth/authenticators/authenticator-interface.ts
+++ b/auth/authenticators/authenticator-interface.ts
@@ -45,4 +45,9 @@ export interface AuthenticatorInterface {
    *   authentication information will be added to.
    */
   authenticate(requestOptions: AuthenticateOptions): Promise<void | Error>;
+
+  /**
+   * Returns a string that indicates the authentication type.
+   */
+  authenticationType(): string;
 }
diff --git a/auth/authenticators/authenticator.ts b/auth/authenticators/authenticator.ts
index b975203ae..e88589346 100644
--- a/auth/authenticators/authenticator.ts
+++ b/auth/authenticators/authenticator.ts
@@ -23,6 +23,23 @@ import { AuthenticateOptions, AuthenticatorInterface } from './authenticator-int
  * to be used as a stand-alone authenticator.
  */
 export class Authenticator implements AuthenticatorInterface {
+  /**
+   * Constants that define the various authenticator types.
+   */
+  static AUTHTYPE_BASIC = 'basic';
+
+  static AUTHTYPE_BEARERTOKEN = 'bearertoken';
+
+  static AUTHTYPE_IAM = 'iam';
+
+  static AUTHTYPE_CONTAINER = 'container';
+
+  static AUTHTYPE_CP4D = 'cp4d';
+
+  static AUTHTYPE_NOAUTH = 'noauth';
+
+  static AUTHTYPE_UNKNOWN = 'unknown';
+
   /**
    * Create a new Authenticator instance.
    *
@@ -48,4 +65,19 @@ export class Authenticator implements AuthenticatorInterface {
     const error = new Error('Should be implemented by subclass!');
     return Promise.reject(error);
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Retrieves the authenticator's type.
+   * The returned value will be the same string that is used
+   * when configuring an instance of the authenticator with the
+   * "<service_name>_AUTH_TYPE" configuration property
+   * (e.g. "basic", "iam", etc.).
+   * This function should be overridden in each authenticator
+   * implementation class that extends this class.
+   *
+   * @returns a string that indicates the authenticator's type
+   */
+  public authenticationType(): string {
+    return Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_UNKNOWN;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/auth/authenticators/basic-authenticator.ts b/auth/authenticators/basic-authenticator.ts
index b831b4194..93754b3ed 100644
--- a/auth/authenticators/basic-authenticator.ts
+++ b/auth/authenticators/basic-authenticator.ts
@@ -75,4 +75,14 @@ export class BasicAuthenticator extends Authenticator {
       resolve();
     });
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Returns the authenticator's type ('basic').
+   *
+   * @returns a string that indicates the authenticator's type
+   */
+  // eslint-disable-next-line class-methods-use-this
+  public authenticationType(): string {
+    return Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_BASIC;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/auth/authenticators/bearer-token-authenticator.ts b/auth/authenticators/bearer-token-authenticator.ts
index 425eda3ee..f61c8c7f1 100644
--- a/auth/authenticators/bearer-token-authenticator.ts
+++ b/auth/authenticators/bearer-token-authenticator.ts
@@ -82,4 +82,14 @@ export class BearerTokenAuthenticator extends Authenticator {
       resolve();
     });
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Returns the authenticator's type ('bearertoken').
+   *
+   * @returns a string that indicates the authenticator's type
+   */
+  // eslint-disable-next-line class-methods-use-this
+  public authenticationType(): string {
+    return Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_BEARERTOKEN;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/auth/authenticators/cloud-pak-for-data-authenticator.ts b/auth/authenticators/cloud-pak-for-data-authenticator.ts
index 9d40ef97b..6655bac6f 100644
--- a/auth/authenticators/cloud-pak-for-data-authenticator.ts
+++ b/auth/authenticators/cloud-pak-for-data-authenticator.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
+import { Authenticator } from './authenticator';
 import { Cp4dTokenManager } from '../token-managers';
 import { BaseOptions, TokenRequestBasedAuthenticator } from './token-request-based-authenticator';
 
@@ -75,4 +76,14 @@ export class CloudPakForDataAuthenticator extends TokenRequestBasedAuthenticator
     // also, the token manager will handle input validation
     this.tokenManager = new Cp4dTokenManager(options);
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Returns the authenticator's type ('cp4d').
+   *
+   * @returns a string that indicates the authenticator's type
+   */
+  // eslint-disable-next-line class-methods-use-this
+  public authenticationType(): string {
+    return Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_CP4D;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/auth/authenticators/container-authenticator.ts b/auth/authenticators/container-authenticator.ts
index 9c6259975..a3687dd69 100644
--- a/auth/authenticators/container-authenticator.ts
+++ b/auth/authenticators/container-authenticator.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
+import { Authenticator } from './authenticator';
 import { ContainerTokenManager } from '../token-managers';
 import { IamRequestOptions, IamRequestBasedAuthenticator } from './iam-request-based-authenticator';
 
@@ -113,4 +114,14 @@ export class ContainerAuthenticator extends IamRequestBasedAuthenticator {
     // update properties in token manager
     this.tokenManager.setIamProfileId(iamProfileId);
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Returns the authenticator's type ('container').
+   *
+   * @returns a string that indicates the authenticator's type
+   */
+  // eslint-disable-next-line class-methods-use-this
+  public authenticationType(): string {
+    return Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_CONTAINER;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/auth/authenticators/iam-authenticator.ts b/auth/authenticators/iam-authenticator.ts
index a66cea9d1..6316bd2e5 100644
--- a/auth/authenticators/iam-authenticator.ts
+++ b/auth/authenticators/iam-authenticator.ts
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
+import { Authenticator } from './authenticator';
 import { IamTokenManager } from '../token-managers';
 import { validateInput } from '../utils';
 import { IamRequestOptions, IamRequestBasedAuthenticator } from './iam-request-based-authenticator';
@@ -82,4 +83,14 @@ export class IamAuthenticator extends IamRequestBasedAuthenticator {
   public getRefreshToken(): string {
     return this.tokenManager.getRefreshToken();
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Returns the authenticator's type ('iam').
+   *
+   * @returns a string that indicates the authenticator's type
+   */
+  // eslint-disable-next-line class-methods-use-this
+  public authenticationType(): string {
+    return Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_IAM;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/auth/authenticators/no-auth-authenticator.ts b/auth/authenticators/no-auth-authenticator.ts
index 8de2883fd..6338447c1 100644
--- a/auth/authenticators/no-auth-authenticator.ts
+++ b/auth/authenticators/no-auth-authenticator.ts
@@ -29,4 +29,13 @@ export class NoAuthAuthenticator extends Authenticator {
     // immediately proceed to request. it will probably fail
     return Promise.resolve();
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Returns the authenticator's type ('noauth').
+   *
+   * @returns a string that indicates the authenticator's type
+   */
+  public authenticationType(): string {
+    return Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_NOAUTH;
+  }
 }
diff --git a/auth/utils/get-authenticator-from-environment.ts b/auth/utils/get-authenticator-from-environment.ts
index e697251ad..919dad493 100644
--- a/auth/utils/get-authenticator-from-environment.ts
+++ b/auth/utils/get-authenticator-from-environment.ts
@@ -82,22 +82,22 @@ export function getAuthenticatorFromEnvironment(serviceName: string): Authentica
 
   // fold authType to lower case for case insensitivity
   switch (authType.toLowerCase()) {
-    case 'noauth':
+    case Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_NOAUTH:
       authenticator = new NoAuthAuthenticator();
       break;
-    case 'basic':
+    case Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_BASIC:
       authenticator = new BasicAuthenticator(credentials);
       break;
-    case 'bearertoken':
+    case Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_BEARERTOKEN:
       authenticator = new BearerTokenAuthenticator(credentials);
       break;
-    case 'cp4d':
+    case Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_CP4D:
       authenticator = new CloudPakForDataAuthenticator(credentials);
       break;
-    case 'iam':
+    case Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_IAM:
       authenticator = new IamAuthenticator(credentials);
       break;
-    case 'container':
+    case Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_CONTAINER:
       authenticator = new ContainerAuthenticator(credentials);
       break;
     default:
diff --git a/test/unit/basic-authenticator.test.js b/test/unit/basic-authenticator.test.js
index 7953659cc..d4fd20e76 100644
--- a/test/unit/basic-authenticator.test.js
+++ b/test/unit/basic-authenticator.test.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-const { BasicAuthenticator } = require('../../dist/auth');
+const { Authenticator, BasicAuthenticator } = require('../../dist/auth');
 
 const USERNAME = 'dave';
 const PASSWORD = 'grohl';
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ const CONFIG = {
 describe('Basic Authenticator', () => {
   it('should store the username and password on the class', () => {
     const authenticator = new BasicAuthenticator(CONFIG);
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_BASIC);
     expect(authenticator.authHeader).toEqual({
       Authorization: 'Basic ZGF2ZTpncm9obA==',
     });
diff --git a/test/unit/bearer-token-authenticator.test.js b/test/unit/bearer-token-authenticator.test.js
index d8a3bd405..bfab4c142 100644
--- a/test/unit/bearer-token-authenticator.test.js
+++ b/test/unit/bearer-token-authenticator.test.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-const { BearerTokenAuthenticator } = require('../../dist/auth');
+const { Authenticator, BearerTokenAuthenticator } = require('../../dist/auth');
 
 describe('Bearer Token Authenticator', () => {
   const config = {
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ describe('Bearer Token Authenticator', () => {
   it('should store the bearer token on the class', () => {
     const authenticator = new BearerTokenAuthenticator(config);
 
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_BEARERTOKEN);
     expect(authenticator.bearerToken).toBe(config.bearerToken);
   });
 
diff --git a/test/unit/container-authenticator.test.js b/test/unit/container-authenticator.test.js
index 264ee6d22..d1d0130d8 100644
--- a/test/unit/container-authenticator.test.js
+++ b/test/unit/container-authenticator.test.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-const { ContainerAuthenticator } = require('../../dist/auth');
+const { Authenticator, ContainerAuthenticator } = require('../../dist/auth');
 const { ContainerTokenManager } = require('../../dist/auth');
 
 // mock the `getToken` method in the token manager - dont make any rest calls
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ describe('Container Authenticator', () => {
   it('should store all config options on the class', () => {
     const authenticator = new ContainerAuthenticator(config);
 
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_CONTAINER);
     expect(authenticator.crTokenFilename).toBe(config.crTokenFilename);
     expect(authenticator.iamProfileName).toBe(config.iamProfileName);
     expect(authenticator.iamProfileId).toBe(config.iamProfileId);
diff --git a/test/unit/cp4d-authenticator.test.js b/test/unit/cp4d-authenticator.test.js
index 6f2bd0c0d..4c7e89108 100644
--- a/test/unit/cp4d-authenticator.test.js
+++ b/test/unit/cp4d-authenticator.test.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-const { CloudPakForDataAuthenticator } = require('../../dist/auth');
+const { Authenticator, CloudPakForDataAuthenticator } = require('../../dist/auth');
 const { Cp4dTokenManager } = require('../../dist/auth');
 
 const USERNAME = 'danmullen';
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ const getTokenSpy = jest
 describe('CP4D Authenticator', () => {
   it('should store all CONFIG options on the class', () => {
     const authenticator = new CloudPakForDataAuthenticator(CONFIG);
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_CP4D);
     expect(authenticator.username).toBe(CONFIG.username);
     expect(authenticator.password).toBe(CONFIG.password);
     expect(authenticator.url).toBe(CONFIG.url);
diff --git a/test/unit/get-authenticator-from-environment.test.js b/test/unit/get-authenticator-from-environment.test.js
index be687fc65..6dfaa9efb 100644
--- a/test/unit/get-authenticator-from-environment.test.js
+++ b/test/unit/get-authenticator-from-environment.test.js
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 
 const {
   getAuthenticatorFromEnvironment,
+  Authenticator,
   BasicAuthenticator,
   BearerTokenAuthenticator,
   CloudPakForDataAuthenticator,
@@ -53,6 +54,7 @@ describe('Get Authenticator From Environment Module', () => {
     setUpNoAuthPayload();
     const authenticator = getAuthenticatorFromEnvironment(SERVICE_NAME);
     expect(authenticator).toBeInstanceOf(NoAuthAuthenticator);
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_NOAUTH);
     expect(readExternalSourcesMock).toHaveBeenCalled();
   });
 
@@ -60,36 +62,42 @@ describe('Get Authenticator From Environment Module', () => {
     setUpBasicPayload();
     const authenticator = getAuthenticatorFromEnvironment(SERVICE_NAME);
     expect(authenticator).toBeInstanceOf(BasicAuthenticator);
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_BASIC);
   });
 
   it('should get bearer token authenticator', () => {
     setUpBearerTokenPayload();
     const authenticator = getAuthenticatorFromEnvironment(SERVICE_NAME);
     expect(authenticator).toBeInstanceOf(BearerTokenAuthenticator);
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_BEARERTOKEN);
   });
 
   it('should get iam authenticator', () => {
     setUpIamPayload();
     const authenticator = getAuthenticatorFromEnvironment(SERVICE_NAME);
     expect(authenticator).toBeInstanceOf(IamAuthenticator);
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_IAM);
   });
 
   it('should get cp4d authenticator', () => {
     setUpCp4dPayload();
     const authenticator = getAuthenticatorFromEnvironment(SERVICE_NAME);
     expect(authenticator).toBeInstanceOf(CloudPakForDataAuthenticator);
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_CP4D);
   });
 
   it('should get container authenticator', () => {
     setUpContainerPayload();
     const authenticator = getAuthenticatorFromEnvironment(SERVICE_NAME);
     expect(authenticator).toBeInstanceOf(ContainerAuthenticator);
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_CONTAINER);
   });
 
   it('should throw away service properties and use auth properties', () => {
     setUpAuthPropsPayload();
     const authenticator = getAuthenticatorFromEnvironment(SERVICE_NAME);
     expect(authenticator).toBeInstanceOf(IamAuthenticator);
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_IAM);
     expect(authenticator.apikey).toBe(APIKEY);
     expect(authenticator.disableSslVerification).toBe(true);
     expect(authenticator.url).toBe(TOKEN_URL);
@@ -99,6 +107,7 @@ describe('Get Authenticator From Environment Module', () => {
     readExternalSourcesMock.mockImplementation(() => ({ iamProfileName: IAM_PROFILE_NAME }));
     const authenticator = getAuthenticatorFromEnvironment(SERVICE_NAME);
     expect(authenticator).toBeInstanceOf(ContainerAuthenticator);
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_CONTAINER);
     expect(authenticator.iamProfileName).toBe(IAM_PROFILE_NAME);
   });
 
@@ -106,6 +115,7 @@ describe('Get Authenticator From Environment Module', () => {
     readExternalSourcesMock.mockImplementation(() => ({ apikey: APIKEY }));
     const authenticator = getAuthenticatorFromEnvironment(SERVICE_NAME);
     expect(authenticator).toBeInstanceOf(IamAuthenticator);
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_IAM);
     expect(authenticator.apikey).toBe(APIKEY);
   });
 
@@ -120,6 +130,7 @@ describe('Get Authenticator From Environment Module', () => {
     setUpIamPayloadWithScope();
     const authenticator = getAuthenticatorFromEnvironment(SERVICE_NAME);
     expect(authenticator).toBeInstanceOf(IamAuthenticator);
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_IAM);
     expect(authenticator.scope).toBe('jon snow');
   });
 });
diff --git a/test/unit/iam-authenticator.test.js b/test/unit/iam-authenticator.test.js
index 358b34504..c35e29ef3 100644
--- a/test/unit/iam-authenticator.test.js
+++ b/test/unit/iam-authenticator.test.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-const { IamAuthenticator } = require('../../dist/auth');
+const { Authenticator, IamAuthenticator } = require('../../dist/auth');
 const { IamTokenManager } = require('../../dist/auth');
 
 // mock the `getToken` method in the token manager - dont make any rest calls
@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ describe('IAM Authenticator', () => {
   it('should store all config options on the class', () => {
     const authenticator = new IamAuthenticator(config);
 
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_IAM);
     expect(authenticator.apikey).toBe(config.apikey);
     expect(authenticator.url).toBe(config.url);
     expect(authenticator.clientId).toBe(config.clientId);
diff --git a/test/unit/no-auth-authenticator.test.js b/test/unit/no-auth-authenticator.test.js
index b993392a8..9ef80542e 100644
--- a/test/unit/no-auth-authenticator.test.js
+++ b/test/unit/no-auth-authenticator.test.js
@@ -14,11 +14,12 @@
  * limitations under the License.
  */
 
-const { NoAuthAuthenticator } = require('../../dist/auth');
+const { Authenticator, NoAuthAuthenticator } = require('../../dist/auth');
 
 describe('NoAuth Authenticator', () => {
   it('should resolve Promise on authenticate', async () => {
     const authenticator = new NoAuthAuthenticator();
+    expect(authenticator.authenticationType()).toEqual(Authenticator.AUTHTYPE_NOAUTH);
     const result = await authenticator.authenticate({});
 
     expect(result).toBeUndefined();