Identity Providers and Service Providers

Identity federation standards identify two operational roles in the identity and access management (IAM) and federated networks: the identity provider (IdP) and the service provider (SP). The IdP authenticates the user and provides the SP with the identity information that it requires to grant access to the services and resources that the user needs to do their job.

Identity federation allows both providers to define a trust relationship where the SP provides access to resources using identity information provided by the IdP.

What is an IdP?

An IdP is a federation partner, organization, or business responsible for managing a user's digital identity and provides identity authentication and verification services, also known as identity as a service (IDaaS). It can manage and verify various identity information, such as usernames, passwords, or biometric information, to vouch for the identity of a user to a relying application or SP.

When the federation protocol is OpenID Connect (OIDC), an IdP is also called an OpenID Provider (OP).

How does an IdP work?

Identity federation allows both providers to define a trust relationship where the SP provides access to resources using identity information provided by the IdP.

The interaction between the the user, SP, and IdP operates as follows:

1. The user requests access to a resource from a SP.
2. The SP redirects the user to the IdP for authentication.
3. The IdP authenticates the user's identity and checks the user's identity against the identity information it manages.
4. After validating the user's identity, the IdP issues an authentication token, which includes the user's verified identity information.
5. The IdP sends this token back to the SP, who verifies the token to confirm the user's identity.
6. If the token is valid, the SP grants the user access to the requested resource.

Why use an IdP?

An IdP securely manages your user identity information and authorizes users to access your organization's resources from a central location. When an IdP is used to oversee the management and verification of user identities, it frees the SP from this responsibility.

Identity Providers (IdPs) play crucial roles in addressing challenges associated with remote and hybrid work:

Password Fatigue & Security

IdPs tackle password fatigue and improve security by:

1. Deploying SSO to minimize the number of passwords users need to remember.
2. Enforcing robust password policies and integrating multi-factor authentication (MFA).
3. Offering secure password management tools to mitigate password reuse.

Access Control and Compliance

IdPs enhance access control and support compliance efforts by:

1. Enforcing least-privilege access policies.
2. Generating detailed audit logs to meet regulatory requirements.
3. Applying adaptive access controls based on user context and behavior.

Inefficient User Provisioning and Deprovisioning

IdPs optimize user management processes by:

1. Automating the provisioning and deprovisioning of user accounts.
2. Enabling self-service options for access requests and password recovery.
3. Allowing quick access assignments based on predefined rules.

Disparate User Databases

IdPs resolve issues associated with multiple user databases by:

1. Centralizing identity management across diverse applications and systems.
2. Delivering a unified platform to manage user identities and access permissions.

Scalability

IdPs facilitate scalability in remote work scenarios by:

1. Providing cloud-based solutions that scale seamlessly with organizational growth.
2. Supporting diverse user needs through flexible authentication methods.

Remote Work Environments

IdPs strengthen security in remote work environments by:

1. Adopting Zero Trust security frameworks.
2. Ensuring secure access to corporate resources from various devices and locations.
3. Leveraging adaptive authentication mechanisms based on risk factors like geolocation and device security.

By addressing these challenges, IdPs play a critical role in safeguarding and streamlining remote work operations, ensuring both security and productivity in distributed environments.

Types of Identity Providers

1. Enterprise Identity Providers

These IdPs are typically used within organizations to manage access to corporate applications and systems and adhere to their specific security policies. They provide centralized authentication for employees using directories, ensuring secure access to business resources.

2. Social Identity Providers

Social IdPs allow users to authenticate using credentials from popular social media platforms like Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. They simplify the login process for consumer-facing applications, improving user experience while providing basic identity information.

3. Cloud Identity Providers

Cloud-based IdPs offer IDaaS, supporting authentication across SaaS applications and cloud infrastructure. They are highly scalable, making them ideal for businesses transitioning to the cloud or with a distributed workforce.

4. Hybrid Identity Providers

Hybrid IdPs integrate multiple types of identity systems, such as on-premise directories with cloud-based solutions. They allow organizations to manage a mix of legacy and modern systems while transitioning to more advanced IAM solutions.

5. Federated Identity Providers

These IdPs enable SSO across multiple organizations or systems using trust frameworks and protocols like Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), OAuth, or OIDC. Federated identity management is commonly used in partnerships or multi-organization collaborations where seamless access is required.

6. On-Premises Identity Providers

Installed within an organization's internal network, these providers offer greater control over data and security but may require more resources for management. They are suitable for organizations with strict compliance or security requirements.

7. Government Identity Providers

Government IdPs authenticate citizens for accessing government services or portals, often using national IDs or secure electronic credentials. They ensure secure access to sensitive data while maintaining compliance with stringent regulatory standards.

8. Decentralized Identity Providers

Decentralized IdPs leverage blockchain or distributed ledger technology to give users control over their own digital identities. They eliminate reliance on centralized entities, enhancing privacy and security by enabling self-sovereign identities.

Each type of IdP caters to specific needs, from enterprise security and consumer convenience to government compliance and cutting-edge technologies, ensuring diverse use cases are addressed effectively.

How to Integrate IdPs

IdPs can also be categorized based on the protocols they use, such as SAML and OIDC, each offering different features and security benefits for various use cases.

SAML IdPs

SAML Identity Providers help users log in once and access multiple applications without needing to sign in again. This system is commonly used in workplaces for onboarding and to make it easier and more secure for employees to use tools like email, file storage, or HR platforms.

OIDC IdPs

OIDC Identity Providers verify who you are so you can access apps and services without creating a new account for each one. They are designed for modern apps and work well with things like mobile apps or websites, making logins quick and secure.

What is an SP?

An SP is a federation partner, organization, or business that offers individuals or enterprises access to application resources, such as software as a service (SaaS) applications, for work-related or personal purposes. Some federation protocols use different terms for the service provider role, such as relying party (RP) or consumer.

How does an SP work?

The role of the SP is to consume the trusted authentication token assertion sent by the IdP. SPs don't authenticate users, and they rely on the IdP to verify the identity of a user. After the SP receives the token, it checks for the verified user information and then creates an application session for the user.

Why use an SP?

The SP offers a service for an enterprise or individual wanting to simplify client access to its services and resources, freeing the organization from the responsibility of providing access to these services.

Considerations for Choosing an Identity Provider

When choosing an IdP, consider the following key aspects:

1. Security Features

• MFA support to strengthen security
• Advanced encryption techniques to safeguard user data
• Tools for detecting intrusions and restricting unauthorized access
• Adaptive authentication services that adjust based on risk levels

2. Compliance

• Compliance with key industry standards such as HIPAA, FedRAMP, SOC 2, and ISO
• Data protection practices aligned with regulations like GDPR
• Routine updates and certifications to maintain security standards

3. Scalability

• Supports increasing user and identity volumes without slowing performance
• Cloud solutions that dynamically adjust resources to meet demand
• Scalability to accommodate millions of users or organizations

4. User Experience

• SSO functionality for easy access to multiple apps using just one set of login credentials
• Intuitive design and interfaces to encourage adoption and improve productivity

5. Support for Multiple Authentication Protocols

• Support for widely-used protocols like SAML and OIDC
• Seamless integration with cloud-based, on-premises, SaaS, and custom applications

6. Customization and Flexibility

• Customizable identity models to fit specific workflows and business needs
• Adaptable authentication methods and access policies
• Capability to integrate different IdPs for varied customer requirements in B2B scenarios

7. Global Reach and Reliability

• Replicable systems spread across multiple availability zones and regions
• High availability with clear communication about service disruptions
• Consistent uptime, even during periods of high traffic

Carefully evaluate these factors to ensure the IdP meets your cybersecurity and IT team’s specific needs and can grow with your business while maintaining strong security and user satisfaction throughout your identity ecosystem.