
28 Dec What is an Identity Provider
… And what can it do for you?
In my series of looking at fundamental things in Identity and Access Management I thought it would be a high time to explain what an Identity Provider (IdP) is. An IdP is an essential piece of technology to any organization that has deployed more than a single online application, or has more than a few hundred users, or wishes to let their visitors use their existing identities making registration and eventual transactions easier and thus increasing revenue.
I have to start this with an analogy. Imagine a Saturday morning and you’ve just finished your breakfast with you family. Your wife looks at you with a smiling face and says “Honey – Remember, today you promised to take me to IKEA so that we can finally start furbishing your home office room”. Now if you are a guy like me, you can picture the rest of the weekend being spent with JASKA office set slowly assembling it piece-by-piece. Gruesome, laborious and on quite many occasions frustrating. But at the same time you are excited because you get your home office set up, and you can finally work from home and be more efficient (unless you have twin daughters running around the house like I had when they were younger).
The IKEA assembling phase is equivalent to creating an authentication solution for your application in-house. Except you don’t go for the JASKA set (top-of-the-line), but the most basic and most simple setup – SITTA (Swedish, means to sit) and BORD (Swedish, means a desk) that are fairly simple to assemble, ugly, not really sturdy, and make longer working periods than 30 minutes excruciating. Would you want that to your customers?
An Identity Provider is piece of technology that is equivalent to an Italian or Finnish designed, handmade, indestructible, beautiful and functional furniture. You do not have worry about spending weeks on getting the authentication deployed properly for your applications. You can integrate 3rd party identities through simple configuration. You can protect your resources properly with appropriate authentication – capturing visitors and letting them register easily with e.g. social identities, but requiring stronger authentication for confidential resources.
How?
Your applications are built on top of application servers such as Sharepoint, Life-Ray, JBoss, EpiServer, Apache Tomcat etc. Most, if not all, have a built-in ability to accept standards based identity information from external source – you do not have to build the identity and authentication logistics to each of your application separately. These standards include SAML, WS-Federation, OpenID, OpenID Connect, OAuth etc. This means that the application can safely rely on external information about the identity of the user.
A proper Identity Provider can connect to all of these applications by supporting these standards. It can serve as the assembly point of identities that the applications require, and instead of the IKEA way of assembly, the identity provider does this automatically according to the policies. Through centralized authorization control the IdP can provide the applications the spy-movie type of information “need to know basis” – which corresponds to the idea “Privacy By Design” and e.g. with the new European regulation; General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR.
This same Identity Provider can also link to external identity sources throught the same standard protocols, and more. This allows the applications to leverage social identities, 3rd party strong identities such as bank IDs, government eIDs, mobile network operator issued identities as part of their authentication options, making registration much more fluent, smoother and quicker. The high (cart) abandonment rate of 60+% can be easily reduced by allowing the visitors use something that they already have. The return rate will improve for the same reason.
On top of authentication the Identity Provider will offer another advantage – Single Sign-On (SSO). If all of your applications are connected to the Identity Provider your users can enjoy seamless transition from one application to another. They do not have to login again as long as they don’t try to access resources that e.g. social media based identities shouldn’t. If this happens, the identity provider triggers a so called step-up authentication process and invokes a flow that verifies the user identity with stronger authentication.
Why?

Additional complexities will create overhead, risk and a negative customer experiences
Do you like assembling IKEA furniture? If you’re like me and among the 99,999% of the population on earth – you dislike it. So why would you like to do that when deploying online services? Not only will it be more difficult in the beginning to develop authentication and identity management functions to each of your application separately, bit it will also create a huge burden for your IT organization in the future. If you use an external consultancy to help build these separate silos you can imagine a situation where you have a 15 pieces of IKEA furniture assembled in a wrong way and the instructions are lost, no spare parts are available as the Blue&Yellow company has stopped manufacturing this particular set.
For your applications and for your company the identity provider can be helpful in many ways. It reduces complexities in your online service environment, allows applications to use appropriate authentication methods, delivers authorization information for the services that can then determine what the user is actually allowed to do, helps in conversion and retention, improves customer experience and satisfaction. A proper Identity and Access Management solution for external users will increase your revenue and the core component of that solution is an identity provider.
Contact us now to hear more.
By Petteri Ihalainen
MonteFum
Posted at 11:30h, 03 Mayhow to fix ed
Jamesmag
Posted at 08:40h, 05 Mayivermectin 3 mg tabs ivermectin sheep wormer buy ivermectin cream
Jamesmag
Posted at 00:21h, 06 Maybuy generic ed pills online canadian drug pharmacy best ed pills non prescription
Jamesmag
Posted at 13:56h, 06 Maytreatments for ed can ed be cured muse ed drug
Jamesmag
Posted at 04:46h, 07 Mayordering cialis online purchasing cialis in the usa order online cialis with dapoxetine
unnhqqsh
Posted at 16:45h, 07 Mayorder modafinil 100mg generic order provigil 200mg without prescription provigil 200mg pill
Jamesmag
Posted at 19:41h, 07 Mayherbal ed treatment what type of medicine is prescribed for allergies pain meds without written prescription
Jamesmag
Posted at 10:43h, 08 Mayed pills for sale cheap online pharmacy best drugs for erectile dysfunction
Jamesmag
Posted at 01:42h, 09 Mayivermectin 1 ivermectin lice treatment ivermectin topical for humans
Gregoryhig
Posted at 06:46h, 11 Mayivermectin for humans lice ivermectin injectable for cattle ivermectin 90 mg
Gregoryhig
Posted at 22:31h, 11 Mayoral ivermectin stromectol without prescription who makes ivermectin
Gregoryhig
Posted at 00:23h, 13 Mayprescription without a doctor’s prescription prescription without a doctor’s prescription prescription drugs online
Gregoryhig
Posted at 15:58h, 13 Maycompare ed drugs best ed pill herbal ed treatment
fzkorvlw
Posted at 16:44h, 13 Maybuy modafinil 100mg for sale
Gregoryhig
Posted at 07:30h, 14 Maybest non prescription ed pills ed meds medication for ed dysfunction
Gregoryhig
Posted at 23:05h, 14 Maypropecia pill how much does propecia cost propecia buy online
Gregoryhig
Posted at 14:38h, 15 Maydrug finasteride finasteride proscar generic propecia usa
StromGroup
Posted at 10:14h, 16 Maydrugs for ed cures for ed cheap ed pills
StromGroup
Posted at 01:15h, 17 Mayprescribing stromectol stromectol for sale stromectol for humans for sale
StromGroup
Posted at 16:57h, 17 Maystromectol 3 mg tablets price stromectol without a doctor prescription prescribing stromectol
StromGroup
Posted at 08:29h, 18 Maybuy medication online from india pharmacy from india meds online without doctor prescription
StromGroup
Posted at 00:02h, 19 Maycanadian pharmacy online ship to usa canadian pharmaceuticals online safe ordering prescription drugs from canada
DouglasHAX
Posted at 07:37h, 19 Mayviagra pills sildenafil 100 mg lowest price viagra pills
DouglasHAX
Posted at 23:29h, 19 Maystromectol for sale stromectol price usa ivermectin without a doctor prescription
DouglasHAX
Posted at 14:52h, 20 Maywhere to buy liquid cialis tadalafil 10mg price tadalafil without a doctor’s prescription
DouglasHAX
Posted at 06:47h, 21 Mayviagra tablets for men viagra pills sildenafil 20 mg
DouglasHAX
Posted at 22:32h, 21 Maycialis from india where to buy liquid cialis cialis 20 mg price
DouglasHAX
Posted at 14:19h, 22 Mayivermectin without a doctor prescription stromectol pills for humans stromectol for sale
EugeneFauff
Posted at 05:07h, 23 Maybret weinstein ivermectin stromectol tablets for humans stromectol tablets for humans
EugeneFauff
Posted at 21:29h, 23 Maystromectol for humans for sale stromectol for humans for sale stromectol tablets for humans
EugeneFauff
Posted at 13:33h, 24 Maystromectol for sale stromectol for humans for sale ivermectin stock price today
RaymondMoifF
Posted at 09:50h, 25 Mayhow much is viagra viagra pills viagra online usa
RaymondMoifF
Posted at 01:56h, 26 Mayviagra without a doctor prescription usa viagra tablets for men over the counter viagra
legitimate online pharmacy
Posted at 11:40h, 26 Maycheap canadian drugs
non prescription drugs
Posted at 13:26h, 26 Maypharmacy without dr prescriptions
buy drugs online
Posted at 13:36h, 26 Maycanada pharmacies online
top 10 online pharmacies
Posted at 14:39h, 26 Mayprescription online
RaymondMoifF
Posted at 17:49h, 26 Maywhen will viagra be generic 100mg viagra viagra cost per pill
Robertfax
Posted at 10:48h, 27 Maycanadianmed cialis tadalafil buy cialis using paypal
Robertfax
Posted at 03:25h, 28 Maybuying cialis with dapoxetine cialis generic shopping generic cialis online overnight delivery
Robertfax
Posted at 20:11h, 28 Maycialis 20mg tablets price tadalafil buying cialis in south africa
Robertfax
Posted at 12:42h, 29 Maycialis sales in victoria canada generic tadalafil 20mg india cialis 800mg black
Robertfax
Posted at 04:57h, 30 Maycialis walmart best price for daily cialis Рї??cialis
Robertfax
Posted at 21:14h, 30 Maydoes cialis keep you hard after coming generic tadalafil 20mg india cialis free trial canada
Ralphavata
Posted at 19:22h, 02 Junecialis generic best price that accepts mastercard generic tadalafil 20mg india
IverRift
Posted at 16:01h, 04 Juneivermectin for humans generic ivermectin
Chesterpredo
Posted at 16:56h, 04 Junehttps://stromectolgf.com/# stromectol in canada
Strombop
Posted at 23:21h, 06 Junestromectol ireland generic ivermectin cream
Cameroncop
Posted at 01:34h, 11 Junebuy prescription drugs from canada cheap ed meds online without doctor prescription
Stevensnure
Posted at 04:26h, 11 Junehttps://drwithoutdoctorprescription.site/ buy canadian drugs
ThomasBruro
Posted at 09:27h, 11 Junebuy prescription drugs without doctor canadian drugs online
Ralphavata
Posted at 13:14h, 11 Junebuy cialis through pay pal tadalafil 20mg best price
Cameroncop
Posted at 19:06h, 11 Juneprescription drugs online prescription for ed meds
ThomasBruro
Posted at 04:08h, 12 Junecanadian drugs online legal to buy prescription drugs without prescription
Stevensnure
Posted at 04:15h, 12 Junehttps://drwithoutdoctorprescription.online/# pain meds online without doctor prescription
MichaelSeida
Posted at 20:34h, 16 Junehttps://sildenafilmg.shop/# best over the counter viagra
MichaelEvelp
Posted at 12:35h, 17 Juneviagra coupons 75% off best over the counter viagra
Jamisonder
Posted at 13:23h, 17 Junewhen will viagra be generic mexican viagra
https://sildenafilmg.com/ viagra price
viagra coupons 75% off viagra amazon
sildenafil citrate tablets
Posted at 15:03h, 17 Junesildenafil cost
viagra online
Posted at 19:04h, 17 Juneviagra buy
MichaelSeida
Posted at 19:58h, 17 Junehttps://sildenafilmg.shop/# viagra cost
BrandonNem
Posted at 00:13h, 18 June100mg viagra mexican viagra
viagra pill for men
Posted at 03:01h, 18 Junebuy generic viagra
cialis vs viagra
Posted at 04:25h, 18 Juneviagra cialis
MichaelSeida
Posted at 18:45h, 18 Junehttps://sildenafilmg.online/# cost of viagra
Jamisonder
Posted at 20:36h, 18 Junegeneric viagra walmart viagra discount
https://sildenafilmg.online/# best place to buy generic viagra online
viagra pills price of viagra
MichaelEvelp
Posted at 20:55h, 18 Junesildenafil 100mg viagra
BrandonNem
Posted at 22:49h, 18 Juneviagra cost per pill viagra from canada
nscsoius
Posted at 17:32h, 19 Junehttps://hydroxychloroquinex.com/ order plaquenil online
BrandonNem
Posted at 22:01h, 19 Juneviagra discount viagra coupons 75% off
MichaelSeida
Posted at 03:49h, 20 Junehttps://sildenafilmg.shop/# where can i buy viagra over the counter
MichaelEvelp
Posted at 05:16h, 20 Junebuy viagra online canada viagra from canada
Jamisonder
Posted at 12:39h, 20 Junebuying viagra online viagra from canada
https://sildenafilmg.com/ viagra price
sildenafil 20 mg viagra cost per pill
BrandonNem
Posted at 21:16h, 20 Juneviagra without a doctor prescription viagra
GeorgeFaive
Posted at 16:52h, 21 Juneprednisone 10 mg tablets prednisone sale
RobertEmbar
Posted at 09:26h, 22 Juneamoxicillin for sale online amoxicillin 500 mg without prescription
GeorgeFaive
Posted at 11:56h, 22 Juneprednisone 40 mg price 20 mg prednisone
2assumption
Posted at 13:25h, 22 June1intolerance
Raymondmak
Posted at 05:57h, 23 Junegeneric zithromax india zithromax 500mg over the counter
GeorgeFaive
Posted at 07:00h, 23 Junecanadian online pharmacy prednisone generic prednisone online
Shelbyabuch
Posted at 08:31h, 23 Junezithromax prescription zithromax 500mg over the counter
Stephenoxify
Posted at 09:01h, 23 Junehttps://amoxilforsale.best/# buy amoxicillin from canada
RobertEmbar
Posted at 18:17h, 23 Junebuy prednisone 50 mg 10 mg prednisone tablets
PhilipDof
Posted at 11:13h, 24 Junetamoxifen rash tamoxifen buy
https://buymetformin.best/# buy cheap metformin online
tadalafil soft gel capsule 20mg tadalafil online price
PhilipDof
Posted at 16:03h, 25 Junecost of lipitor in australia lipitor 20 mg tablet price
https://buylipitor.store/# lipitor 80 mg cost
lasix dosage furosemide 100 mg
Raymondmak
Posted at 19:52h, 25 Junehttps://buytadalafil.men/# buy cheap tadalafil online
HomerMew
Posted at 08:21h, 26 Junenolvadex for sale tamoxifen alternatives premenopausal
WilliamStype
Posted at 19:41h, 26 Junelipitor price uk buy lipitor cheap
RickyEdula
Posted at 01:59h, 27 Junecost of lipitor in canada lipitor generic price comparison
https://buylipitor.store/# lipitor
metformin without prescription canada metformin from mexico to us
AnthonyUnfon
Posted at 02:32h, 27 Junehttps://buynolvadex.store/# nolvadex for sale
Edwardtof
Posted at 03:34h, 27 Junehow much is metformin 500 mg how to get metformin over the counter
RonaldSkady
Posted at 19:11h, 27 Junehttps://buymetformin.best/# metformin 1 000mg
RobertTriep
Posted at 03:35h, 28 Junehttps://withoutprescription.store/# prescription drugs online
Georgeheeld
Posted at 09:53h, 28 Junehttps://diflucan.icu/# buy diflucan pill
Thomassor
Posted at 15:38h, 28 Junemale ed pills ed drugs
https://diflucan.icu/# 150 mg diflucan online
neurontin 50mg cost buying neurontin online
Jeffreymet
Posted at 23:17h, 28 Junebuy generic ciprofloxacin buy cipro cheap
https://withoutprescription.store/# dog antibiotics without vet prescription
ed treatment drugs medicine for impotence
JefferyEmiSk
Posted at 06:26h, 29 Juneed treatment drugs best male ed pills
RobertTriep
Posted at 11:49h, 29 Junehttps://withoutprescription.store/# canadian pharmacy
Isiahcic
Posted at 00:19h, 30 Junediflucan in usa online rx diflucan
JefferyEmiSk
Posted at 13:57h, 30 Junebuy prescription drugs online pet meds without vet prescription canada
Thomassor
Posted at 14:32h, 30 Juneneurontin capsule 400 mg buy gabapentin
https://erectionpills.best/# best ed medications
ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablet price buy cipro
Michealdiona
Posted at 15:35h, 30 Juneciprofloxacin order online cipro 500mg best prices
Jeffreymet
Posted at 18:40h, 30 Junewhere can i buy cipro online cipro
https://diflucan.icu/# over the counter diflucan pill
ciprofloxacin generic price cipro 500mg best prices
RobertTriep
Posted at 19:55h, 30 Junehttps://erectionpills.best/# buy erection pills