Implementing Federated Authentication for an Airline Client

Background:

An airline client required a robust solution to streamline their authentication process across various applications. The goal was to enhance user experience by providing a seamless sign-on experience, automate access control based on user roles, and ensure high security for application access.

Scope:

• Seamless Sign-On: Users should be able to log onto different applications without repeated sign-ins.
• Role-Based Access Provisioning: New users should receive access to applications based on predefined roles.
• Dynamic Access Control: Users’ access should be automatically updated or revoked based on role changes or employment status.
• Security: Applications must be secured to allow only authenticated and authorized users.
• Open Standards: The solution should use open standards for user authentication.
• Integration with Azure AD/Microsoft Entra ID: The system should support OAuth protocols for integration with Azure AD/Microsoft Entra ID.

Proposed Solution:

The solution involved setting up federated authentication using the Auth0 platform, which would authenticate users from an external identity provider via Open-ID-Connect (OIDC). Implementation Plan:

1. Auth0 Platform Setup:Configured the Auth0 platform to support authentication for multiple organizations.
2. OIDC Enterprise Connection:Established a new enterprise connection using OIDC to support Azure AD integration.
3. Auth0 Application Configuration:Configured Auth0 applications to recognize the organization as an Identity Provider (IdP).
4. Identity API Consideration:Modified the Identity API to include organization consideration for authentication processes.

Outcome:

The implementation of federated authentication via Auth0 provided the airline client with a seamless login experience. Users could now access various applications with a single sign-on, and their access rights were dynamically managed based on their roles within the organization. The integration with Azure AD/Microsoft Entra ID using OAuth protocols ensured that the applications were secure and accessible only to authenticated and authorized users.

Benefits:

• Enhanced User Experience: Users enjoyed a frictionless sign-on process across all applications.
• Automated Access Management: The system automatically managed user access rights, reducing administrative overhead.
• Security Compliance: The use of open standards and integration with Azure AD/Microsoft Entra ID ensured compliance with security best practices.
• Scalability: The Auth0 platform’s support for multiple organizations made the solution scalable for future growth.

  This case study demonstrates the effective use of federated authentication to provide a secure and user-friendly authentication system that aligns with the client’s operational requirements and security standards.