What is an identity provider?
An identity provider (IDP ) is a service that manages the authentication and authorization of users in a computer system or application. The IDP has the function of ensuring the authentication of the user directly or also providing authentication services from external sources (such as applications, websites or other digital services). The main function of an identity provider is to manage the identities of users, verify them and then allow access to services.
User identity
Digital identity is related to measurable elements that can be verified by computer systems. These elements are authentication factors and can be divided into the following categories:
- Knowledge: Things you know, for example your username and password
- Possessions: Items that you physically own, such as your smartphone
- Inherent characteristics: Characteristics that uniquely identify you, such as a fingerprint or your retina
You can use these factors to uniquely identify yourself. An IDP can now store and manage the authentication factors and use them to authenticate you securely and quickly in applications. An identity provider can use one or more factors to identify a user. If several factors are used to verify the user’s identity, this is referred to as “multi-factor authentication” (MFA).
In addition to this pure authentication, an identity provider also offers other very helpful functions with which you can significantly simplify the central administration of large amounts of data in particular. This is because IDPs can take over the administration of user accounts, including the creation, updating and deletion of user profiles. Administrators can add, deactivate or delete other users centrally and precisely control their access rights. User management also includes the assignment of roles and authorizations. The various roles represent certain tasks or access rights of an application and can be defined within an identity provider and then assigned to individual users.
Advantages: What are the benefits of an identity provider?
Improved security: Identity provider protection! Multi-factor authentication (MFA) allows you to use multiple authentication factors to verify the user’s identity. Stolen login information alone is therefore not enough to access accounts. The different systems can also be clearly differentiated from one another.
Time and cost savings: Save time and resources! By implementing an identity provider, you reduce costs for password resets, technical support and security breaches, for example. You can outsource user administration.
Increased control and compliance: Effortlessly meet data protection requirements! IDPs provide functions for controlling access to resources and services. Administrators can define access authorizations based on user groups, roles and policies, which supports compliance with data protection and security regulations.
Centralized identity management: Central administration in one place! Identity providers enable centralized management of user identities, credentials and access rights. Make it easier to update, manage and monitor user accounts.
Flexibility in authentication: Identification check, adapted to your requirements! Depending on your requirements and risk profiles, you can implement various authentication methods. These can be classic user name/password combinations or advanced biometric methods.
In conclusion
In an increasingly digital world, the identity provider enables secure, practical and efficient management of user identities and access rights. The integration of an IDP into yard management helps to increase efficiency, enhance security and optimize the use of resources by verifying access and the interaction of the parties involved in an orderly and controlled manner.