Single Sign-On (SSO)

You can use Microsoft Azure SSO to log-in securely to your Nodes & Links platform

 

Overview

In this integration, Auth0 acts as an identity broker, facilitating Single Sign-On (SSO) for users across applications and services, while Microsoft Azure serves as the cloud platform where applications are hosted or managed. This setup allows seamless, secure access for users who authenticate once through Auth0 and then gain access to multiple Azure resources or other integrated apps without re-authenticating.

How It Works

User Authentication via Auth0:

  • A user attempts to access an application that supports SSO. The application redirects the user to the Auth0 login page.
  • Auth0 handles the authentication process by verifying the user’s credentials. For enterprises, this often involves integration with Azure Active Directory (AAD) as the identity provider (IdP).
  • Auth0 can integrate with various identity providers, but in the case of Microsoft Azure, it typically leverages Azure AD for user directory management.

Connection to Azure AD:

  • When the user enters their credentials, Auth0 connects to Azure Active Directory via the OpenID Connect protocol.
  • Auth0 acts as the Service Provider (SP) and Azure AD acts as the Identity Provider (IdP). Auth0 forwards the authentication request to Azure AD.
  • Azure AD processes the authentication request and, upon successful validation, returns an authentication token (like a JWT) to Auth0.

Token Issuance and SSO:

  • Auth0 receives the token from Azure AD and uses it to grant access to the requested application.
  • The user is now authenticated and can access Nodes & Links without needing to re-authenticate, thanks to the SSO session managed by Auth0.
  • The SSO session can last for a predefined period, allowing the user to navigate without needing to log in again, until the session expires or they explicitly log out.

Security Considerations:

  • Auth0 and Azure employ several security protocols to ensure the safety of the authentication process, including OAuth 2.0 and JWT for token-based authentication.
  • Token expiration, token refreshing, and role-based access controls can be configured to manage user sessions and access efficiently.

Benefits for Clients

  • Streamlined User Experience: Users only need to authenticate once to gain access to Nodes & Links.
  • Enhanced Security: By leveraging Azure AD’s enterprise-level security features and Auth0’s versatile identity management capabilities, clients enjoy robust protection for user data.