
As modern enterprises strive to enhance network security and streamline access control, implementing AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) with a TACACS (Terminal Access Controller Access Control System) server has become a mandatory step in network security best practice. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of **configuring AAA with a TACACS server** for enterprise networks, enabling centralized authentication, granular authorization, and detailed accounting.

### What is AAA? {# What is AAA?}   

In the network security space, **AAA stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting**. It is a framework or concept used for securing enterprise networks through identity management & access control, enforcing security policies, and tracking user activity. This framework provides a comprehensive approach to managing user authentication, determining access privileges, and recording usage information for auditing and accountability purposes. **Radius and TACACS+** are two popular protocols used in AAA services.  


Let us dig more into the three components of the AAA framework:

1. **Authentication:**  
The process of verifying the identity of users or devices attempting to access a network is known as Authentication. This is a fundamental step in the AAA framework, ensuring that only legitimate users gain entry. Some examples of authentication methods are passwords, certificates, biometric factors (fingerprint, facial recognition), or token-based authentication.  
2. **Authorization:**  
The next step in the AAA framework is authorization, which determines the level of access and permissions granted to the authenticated entity. Granular access control policies should be implemented to ensure that users have appropriate privileges based on their roles and responsibilities within the organization.  
3. **Accounting:**  
This step aids in security auditing and fraud detection because it records important information such as login/logout times, session durations, data transferred, and specific actions performed. AAA frameworks provide centralized accounting mechanisms for easy monitoring and analysis of user activity.  


### What is TACACS? {# What is TACACS?}  

**TACACS or Terminal Access Controller Access Control System** is a network protocol and framework used for controlling access to network devices and services. TACACS provides authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) functionality, allowing organizations to secure and manage access to their network infrastructure.

### TACACS Vs.TACACS+ {# TACACS Vs.TACACS+}  
TACACS protocol was first developed by Cisco Systems to facilitate Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting or AAA Services to secure enterprise networks like routers, switches, VPNs, etc. **TACACS+ protocol** is an enhanced version of the older TACACS protocol, also developed by Cisco. TACACS+ provides a more flexible authorization framework, supporting fine-grained access control and a wider range of attributes. It has broader vendor support and is considered more secure than TACACS.

### TACACS+ Vs. HWTACACS {# TACACS+ Vs. HWTACACS}  
**HWTACACS protocol** is another variant of the TACACS+ protocol, which was specifically designed to work with **Huawei networking devices**. But when it comes to TACACS+, it not only works well with Cisco network devices but also supports multiple other vendors and is widely adopted by various manufacturers. HWTACACS is tailored to meet the specific requirements of Huawei devices and may have unique features or integrations with Huawei's ecosystem, whereas TACACS+ is known for its flexibility, advanced authorization options, and stronger encryption.  

### AAA TACACS Server Configuration {# AAA TACACS Server Configuration}
Configuring a TACACS server involves several steps to set up authentication, authorization, and accounting services. Here's a general outline of the process:  

#### Install and Configure TACACS Server Software:
1. Choose a TACACS server software that suits your needs (e.g., miniOrange, Cisco Secure ACS, TACACS.net).  
2. Install the server software on a dedicated server or virtual machine.  
3. Configure the server software by specifying parameters such as IP address, port number, shared secret key, and authentication methods.  

#### Define User Accounts:  

Create user accounts on the TACACS server, specifying usernames and passwords.
Optionally, you can define additional user attributes like group memberships, access privileges, and authorization settings.  

### Configure Network Devices for TACACS Authentication:

1. Access the configuration interface of your network devices (e.g., routers, switches).
2. Configure the devices to use the TACACS server for authentication by specifying its IP address and port.
3. Set the shared secret key to match the one configured on the TACACS server.

#### Authorization Configuration:

1. Configure authorization settings on the TACACS server to control user access privileges and permissions.
2. Define access policies based on user roles or groups.
3. Specify the level of access granted for various commands or resources.

#### Accounting Configuration:

1. Enable accounting on the TACACS server to track and log user activities.
2. Specify the accounting methods (e.g., start-stop, interim-update) and the type of data to be logged (e.g., login events, command history).

#### Testing and Verification:

1. Test the TACACS authentication by attempting to log in to the network devices using the TACACS server credentials.
2. Verify that the authorization settings are correctly applied, allowing or denying access based on the defined policies.
3. Monitor the accounting logs to ensure that user activities are properly recorded.

### Implementing AAA TACACS with miniOrange {# Implementing AAA TACACS with miniOrange}

You can easily manage and increase the security of all of your network devices like routers and switches with **miniOrange AAA service with TACACS/TACACS+**. Get a centralized dashboard where you can add all your TACACS/TACACS+ devices and configure their authentication source like verifying user identities from your existing databases and directories **like Active Directory or AD**. For increasing or adding the extra layer of Security, you can enable Multi-Factor Authentication(MFA) on top of regular authentication and enable any of the **15+ MFA methods** that miniOrange provides. We support diverse use cases that enterprises require, like **AD authentication + MFA, local authentication + MFA**, and many more.  

You can get a TACTACS+ AAA solution specifically designed to secure all your **Cisco devices like Cisco Routers and Switches** in your entire organization. Secure all your Network Devices like Wi-Fi, Routers, Network Switches, and Firewall and enable MFA without installing any external proxy with the miniOrange solution. Test how our solution will function in your environment with a [one-month full feature free trial/ POC](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/free-trial)

### FAQ {# FAQ}

**What are the other Vendor Network Devices supported by the miniOrange TACACS+ solution other than Cisco devices?**  
  


The miniOrange TACACS+ solution supports multiple vendors like Huawei, Juniper, Fortinet, Arista, Palo Alto, and many more along with Cisco network devices to effortlessly enable AAA services to secure their network devices like Wi-Fi, Routers, Network Switches, and Firewall, etc. Also, if you want to add next-level security, the miniOrange solution can enable MFA by simply using an external proxy.


Implement AAA services for your enterprise network with Tacacs and Tacacs+ servers. This blog provides you with complete knowledge.

A Comprehensive Guide to Implement AAA with TACACS Server for Enterprise Networks


***Authentication and Authorization*** are often used interchangeably but they are distinct security processes in [identity and access management (IAM)](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/).

**Authentication** is the process of verifying your identity by confirming your credentials, such as your username/user ID and password. The system then uses your credentials to verify that you are who you claim you are.

**Authorization** is the process of determining whether an authenticated user has access to specific resources. After the system has properly confirmed your identity, you will be granted complete access to resources such as information, files, databases, finances, and so on.

The key difference between authentication and authorization is that the user or service identity is confirmed through authentication, and their access privileges are established through authorization.

 

### What is Authentication? {#what-is-authentication}
[Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/authentication-services) is a process that identifies the identity of an oncoming user. This is the root step of all Identity Management. Identification of identity is simple – a set of credentials are accepted by a user and he/she is authenticated if those credentials are correct.

Sometimes, there can be another layer to this authentication, and the user might need to pass through a more complex but secure authentication process than just simple credentials passing. A user’s identity is verified by many different factors through this process before the system grants them access to anything. This may include a time-bound OTP, a set of questions, a hardware token, biometrics, etc.

 

### What is the Purpose of Authentication? {#what-is-the-purpose-of-authentication}
The main purpose of authentication is to verify and validate the identity of an individual or entity trying to access a system, application, or resource. It ensures that the user is who they claim to be and grants them appropriate access privileges based on their authenticated identity. This ensures that unauthorized personnel or impostors cannot illegally get access to critical resources. 

Authentication serves as a fundamental security measure to protect sensitive information, prevent unauthorized access, and maintain the integrity and confidentiality of data. It plays a crucial role in establishing trust, mitigating security risks, and safeguarding user accounts and resources from unauthorized use or malicious activities. Authentication is a very pivotal part of Identity and Access Management for modern organizations.

 

### What are the Popular Authentication Methods? {#what-are-the-popular-authentication-methods}
Over the years, a wide range of [authentication methods](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/different-types-of-authentication-methods-for-security/) have been developed. Now, we’ll go through the most popular forms of authentication and demonstrate how each method works in modern systems.

![Types of Authentication Methods](/blog/assets/2023/different-types-of-authentication.webp)

#### **Biometric:**  
[Biometric](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-biometric-authentication/) authentication is a method of verifying a person’s identity using their unique biological traits. It assists you in verifying individuals and ensuring that they are who they say they are. The biometric data of the users is collected and stored in a database, which is later compared to ensure that the user is authenticated. Different types of biometric authentication include fingerprint scanners, eye scanners, voice recognition, face identifier, etc.  

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#### **Password-based:**  
The most frequent way of authentication is passwords. A string of letters, numbers, or special characters can be used as a password. You must develop strong passwords that incorporate a mix of all possible solutions in order to secure your identity.  

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#### **Single Sign-On Authentication:**  
This method of authentication enables users to access different applications, resources, and systems using a single set of credentials. [Single Sign-On](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso) streamlines the authentication process, which provides a seamless user authentication experience. It improves productivity and security at the same time.  

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#### **Multi-factor:**  
[Multi-Factor Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) is the most advanced mechanism, requiring two or more levels of protection from multiple authentication categories to enable user access to the system. To prevent security breaches, this includes elements that are independent of one another.  

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#### **Passwordless Authentication:**  
In passwordless authentication users do not need passwords to authenticate, instead, other methods like OTP, Email Verification, Biometrics, etc., are used for authenticating the user identity. This method eliminates password management hassles and password-theft risks.  

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#### **API:**  
The process of confirming a user’s identity while requesting to access server-side services is known as [API authentication](https://developers.miniorange.com/docs/rest-api-authentication/wordpress/api-key-authentication). Basic HTTP, core API, and 0Auth are only a few of the most used APIs.  

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#### **Certificate-based:**  
Digital certificates are used in certificate-based authentication solutions to identify individuals, computers, and devices. A digital certificate is a type of electronic document similar to a driver’s license or passport. Only a certification authority may issue digital certificates to show ownership of a public key.


### What is Authorization? {#what-is-authorization}
Authorization is the process that determines what level of access a user will get to critical resources of the organization. Authorization deals with the role of an individual within an organization or a group. Considering an example, the employee who belongs to the Accounts and Finance team will be authorized to only Account-related tools and applications, and not the Sales and Business-related tools. 

Authorization of a user is very important, as most web resources today are to be selectively shared among user bases, and most online business models also run this way. That is the reason why it is one of the most crucial steps when talking about access management.

 

### What are the Popular Types of Authorization?  {#what-are-the-popular-types-of-authorization}
Below are some of the techniques used for the authorization process. Each of these techniques works differently and is important in its own way to secure data.  

**API Keys:**  
The API key is a long string that is usually provided in the URL or header of the request. The API key is mostly used to identify the individual initiating the API request (authenticating you to use the API). Most APIs require you to sign up for an API key before you can use them.  

**Open ID:**  
The Open ID layer is an authorization authentication layer built on top of the 0auth2.0 framework. It enables clients to validate the end user’s identification using the authorization server and to acquire basic profile information about the end user in an interoperable and REST-like manner.  

**SAML:**  
[SAML](https://www.miniorange.com/what-is-saml) is an XML-based authentication and authorization mechanism that connects two entities: the SP and the IDP. Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is a standard SSO in which verified data is transferred via digitally signed XML documents.  

**HMAC:**
Hash-based Message Authentication Code is a digital signature technique that makes use of message digest algorithms like MD5 and SHA-1 to produce a reliable data integrity protocol.  

**HTTP:**  
Authentication and authorization both employ this mechanism. To establish their identity, a user typically submits a username and password. This technique excludes cookies, session IDs, and login pages since the [HTTP header](https://www.miniorange.com/reverse-proxy/header-based-authentication) is used.  

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#### **While considering Authentication and Authorization, Authorization can only be granted after Authentication.**  


![Authentication & Authorization Process : Flow Diagram](/blog/assets/2023/authentication-authorization.webp)
 

### Authentication VS Authorization {authentication-vs-authorization}

| Authentication | Authorization |
| -------------- | ------------- |
| Authentication is the process of verifying who a user is through Login or Passwords. | Authorization gives those users permission to access a resource. |
| It works through passwords, biometrics, and other information provided or entered by the user. | Authorization works through settings that are implemented and maintained by the organization. |
| It is visible & partially changeable by the user. | Authorization isn’t visible & changeable by the user. |
| Data is transferred through ID Tokens (JWT Token). | Data transmits through Access Tokens. |
| Authentication is usually done before Authorization. | Authorization can only be granted after Authentication. |
| e.g. When a college student walks into their campus, they have to showcase their identity card at the gate to get authenticated as a student of the institution. | e.g. Once the student is authenticated they walk towards their pre-allocated building, towards their floor, and their classroom. This is where Authorization is in play, the student does not have access to the professor’s cabin or the principal’s office. |
 

### Authentication and Authorization in Cloud Computing {#authentication-and-authorization-in-cloud-computing}

Authentication and authorization are essential components required for securing cloud computing environments. They help ensure that only authorized individuals or entities can access resources and perform actions within the cloud infrastructure.  

Different Authentication methods discussed in this article can be implemented to verify the identity of a user or entity requesting access to a system or resource within the cloud. Different authentication mechanisms are used to establish trust between the user and the cloud service provider (CSP).  

In cloud computing, Authorization or [access control](https://www.miniorange.com/reverse-proxy/access-control) is used for granting or denying permissions to authenticated users based on their roles, responsibilities, or other attributes within the cloud environment. Authorization mechanisms help enforce the principle of least privilege, ensuring that users only have access to the resources they need. 


### How miniOrange can help you Implement Authentication & Authorization in your Organization? {#how-miniorange-can-help-you-implement-authentication-and-authorization-in-your-organization}

Being in a high-paced cyber world, it’s an important need for enterprises to adopt Authentication and Authorization mechanisms to fortify their security posture. To successfully implement these robust security measures in your organization, you need a customized [Identity and Access Management (IAM)](https://www.miniorange.com/what-is-iam-identity-and-access-management) solution from a trusted IAM vendor.  

miniOrange provides a wide array of solutions that efficiently and securely enable Identity and Access Management for your organization in On-Premise, Cloud, and Hybrid environments. But before choosing any cloud Security Service provider for implementing Authentication and Authorization mechanisms, you should confirm they confidentially handle your information, with the simplest technical support at a budgeted price. The miniOrange IAM solution is highly customizable, scalable, and fits your organization’s unique needs.  You can leverage the [miniOrange Free Trial](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/free-trial) to try out our IAM solution & test all the features to make better and more well-informed decisions.

 

### FAQ {#faq}
**Which comes First, Authentication or Authorization?**  
In the Identity and Access Management process, authentication typically comes before authorization. Authentication is the process of verifying digital identities. Once authenticated, the next step is authorization. Authorization determines what actions and resources a user is allowed to access.

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#### **Further Reading:**
- [miniOrange Authentication Services](https://www.miniorange.com/authentication-services)
- [Two-Factor Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/2fa-security/)
- [What is Authentication?](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/different-types-of-authentication-methods-for-security/)
- [What is OAuth (Open Authorization)?](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-oauth-2/)
- [What is Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS)?](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-identity-as-a-service-idaas/)

The key difference between authentication and authorization is that the identity of user & service is confirmed through authentication, and their access privileges are established through authorization.

What is the difference between Authentication and Authorization?

**Microsoft’s plan to replace Basic Authentication, with Modern Authentication, from Exchange Online** is being postponed until the second half of 2021 due to the current situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic. You might think: What is replacing basic authentication? Wait, what is Basic authentication in the first place that is being replaced? Continue reading this article to learn more about basic authentication and modern authentication, and why it is happening.

### What is Basic Authentication and its drawbacks? {#what-is-basic-authentication-and-its-drawbacks?}
Basic Authentication is an authentication commonly used for internet resources. Basic Authentication or Basic Auth has the advantage of being relatively simple, **Username and password** are stored in plain text with base64 encoding in a single header field.  

As a result, Basic Auth had to be used in conjunction with SSL in order to encrypt the headers and protect the user’s credentials. Even when HTTPS is utilized, there are still a number of Basic Auth vulnerabilities. A few major being:

- Authentication headers are included in each request, hence the possibility of capturing credentials is essentially limitless.
- Passwords can be cached (and maybe permanently kept) in the browser, providing still another point of vulnerability.
- The entire foundation of basic authentication is built on a very basic and antiquated username-password architecture adding another point of vulnerability to this authentication.
- Basic auth doesn’t support scoping or grading permissions, hence any applications with the user credentials gains potential access to all data a certain user has access to.  

In today’s world, the ideal security and privacy practice are to grant access to exactly the data and resources needed for an application to function, and nothing more. Hence there is a need for an authentication resource that can overcome all these shortcomings/vulnerabilities.

 

### What is Modern Authentication? {#what-is-modern-authentication?}
Modern Authentication is a term used to refer to authentication and authorization protocols that are better designed for today’s world, for Internet-scale and management. These Protocols allows administrators to define rules for 

- Authentication (the process by which anything or someone logs into a system),
- Authorization (mechanisms that ensure you don’t have full access to something by default), and
- Configure Conditional Access Policies (policies that establish the conditions).  

Modern authentication includes/enables authentication features like multi-factor authentication (MFA), smart cards, certificate-based authentication (CBA), and third-party SAML identity providers. Users will be prompted for these additional authentication features based on the conditional access policies configured by the system administrator.

Authentication is based on Token rather than caching or sending username and password over the network, as done in Basic Authentication. Modern authentication protocols like OAuth2.0 allow the users to use services like SSO, enabling a more secure and improved login experience. 

 

### How Modern Authentication works? {#how-modern-authentication-works?}
Username and password will no longer be the primary source of authentication, but will still be required to produce an access token (at least for now) by authenticating with an identity Source/provider. This token contains more specific information about the requestor’s rights and privileges (in the form of a claim) and is validated by application. These Tokens can also be revoked and set to expire on a specific date, giving additional control over who has access to what information.

 

![Modern Authentication and benefits of modern authentication](/blog/assets/2023/how-modern-authentication-works.webp)

 

### Benefits of Modern Authentication {#benefits-of-modern-authentication}
Modern authentication leverages protocols like OAuth2.0 to allow admins/users to fine-tune authentication policy to better control access to resources. Other than being more secure, One of the biggest advantages of Modern Authentication is that it allows admins to configure all policies at one central location which is at the identity provider. This relieves the Administrator from the responsibility of configuring policies for individual apps separately, hence mitigating the chances of missed configuration update for an application leaving a loophole in security. 

 

### Conclusion {#conclusion}
Modern Authentication is unarguably the next stage in the authentication cycle that will replace basic authentication methods. Although the switch is slow and the deadlines(some) for disabling Basic Authentication and less secure app access have been extended, upgrading to Modern Authentication as soon as possible is still recommended.   

Modern Authentication is not only safer than Basic Authentication, but it is also more user-friendly and simplifies the task of the administrator. Multiple of Microsoft’s services like Outlook for Office 365, Outlook 2016 / 2019, Mail for Windows 10 has implemented support for Modern Authentications and the number of applications doing so will keep increasing. You can signup for a demo account for miniOrange IAM solution from here.  

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### External Links {# External Links}
- [General Microsoft Modern Authentication Information](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2015/11/19/updated-office-365-modern-authentication-public-preview/)
- [Enabling Modern Authentication for Skype Online](http://social.technet.microsoft.com/wiki/contents/articles/34339.skype-for-business-online-enable-your-tenant-for-modern-authentication.aspx)

Modern authentication is a authentication method of identity management that offers more secure user authentication and authorization than possible with basic Authentication. Learn about the benefits of using an identity and access management solution to enable modern authentication for your organization.

Organizations are moving to modern authentication, and why should you too?


When the word “technology” is used, the phrase “authentication and security” immediately comes to mind. Authentication becomes the first baby step in improving security, given the growing requirement for it. The basic job of authentication is to manage user identification and provide them with suitable access control for seamless operation and security. Individual authentication does not have to be restricted to usernames and passwords. [Single Sign-On (SSO)](https://www.miniorange.com/single-sign-on-sso), [Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-multi-factor-authentication-mfa/), [Provisioning](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-provisioning/), [Adaptive Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/adaptive-multi-factor-authentication-mfa), and other Identity and Access Management (IAM) tools augment the capabilities of standard authentication.

 

### What Is Authentication? {#what-is-authentication}
Authentication is the process of identifying users that request access to a system, network, server, app, website, or device. The primary goal of [authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/authentication) is to ensure that a user is who they claim to be. User A, for example, has access to only relevant information and is unable to see User B’s personal information. Unauthorized users are prevented from accessing sensitive data with user authentication. Authentication improves security by allowing any Organizational admin to manage an individual user’s identity and access. The basic authentication used for identity and access control verification is username and password, with **different types of authentication** techniques that we shall cover moving forward.

 

### Why Is User Authentication Important? {#why-is-user-authentication-important?}
There is no organization, system, network, website, or server in today’s modern world that does not require some form of authentication. If they are not, they are putting themselves at risk of attacks that could result in the misappropriation of their resources and sensitive data at the very least. A single blunder may expose your organization’s data to cybercriminals, as they are always prepared with a variety of cyber weaponry, such as (Phishing, Data breaches, spoofing, etc). When your authentication system isn’t up to par, they can quickly get access and steal information. A few of the most recent major attacks will lead you to the conclusion that, whether you are a little business or a large corporation, authentication using the finest security techniques is a must to stay stable in this technological environment.

 

### Different types of Authentication {#different-types-of-authentication}
When it comes to authentication and security, there is a vast ocean of different authentication options to choose from. Before adopting or choosing any of the authentication methods for your Organization’s employees or end-users, you should be aware of a few key factors that will help you choose the most appropriate authentication technique for you:  
1. Security capability of that Authentication Method
2. Usability interface
Let’s take a closer look at the many sorts of authentication techniques available:
 
**1. Password Based Login:**  
The most commonly utilized regular login authentication system that you will employ on a daily basis while utilizing an online service is password-based login. You need to input a combination of your username/mobile number and a password when using the Password-Based Authentication technique. The individual is authorized only when both of these elements have been verified. However, because today’s customers use multiple online services (apps and websites), it’s tough to keep track of all of their usernames and passwords. As a result of this, end-users engage in unethical behaviors such as forgetting passwords, using the same password for several services, and so on. Cybercriminals enter at this point and begin actions such as phishing, data breaches, and so on. That is the fundamental reason why standard password-based authentication is losing favor and more organizations are turning to advanced additional security authentication factors.  

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**2. Multi-Factor Authentication:**

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an authentication method in which an individual must pass multiple factors in order to gain access to a service or network. It’s an extra layer of security on top of the standard password-based login. Individuals must also submit a second factor in the form of a one-time code that they will receive through phone or email in addition to their Username and Password.

You may quickly configure several Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) methods to give an extra layer of security to your resources. OTP/TOTP via SMS, OTP/TOTP over Email, Push notification, Hardware Token, and Mobile Authenticator are all examples of MFA methods (Google, Microsoft, Authy, etc). You can choose any of the MFA techniques and implement them for organizational security based on your needs and requirements. After traditional password-based login, Multi-Factor Authentication is the most trusted authentication mechanism. For improved security, password-based traditional authentication and Multi-Factor Authentication methods are usually used simultaneously.  

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**3. Biometric Authentication:**

Individual physical attributes such as fingerprints, palms, retinas, voice, face, and voice recognition are used in biometric authentication. Biometric authentication works in the following way: first, the physical characteristics of individuals are saved in a database. Individuals’ physical features are checked against the data contained in the database whenever a user wants to access any device or physically enter any premises (Organization, School, Colleges, Workplace). Biometric authentication technology is mostly employed by private organizations, airports, and border crossing points where security is a top priority. Because of its capacity to create a high level of security and a user-friendly frictionless flow, biometrics is one of the most often used security technologies. Among the most common biometric authentication methods are:

**1. Fingerprint:** To enable access, fingerprint authentication matches the unique pattern of an individual’s print. In some advanced Fingerprint authentication systems, the vascular structure of the finger is also sensed. Because it is one of the most user-friendly and accurate biometric systems, fingerprint authentication is currently the most common biometric technology for ordinary customers. Biometrics’ popularity can be due to the fact that you use your mobile phones with fingerprints on a regular basis, as well as companies or institutions that use Fingerprint authentication.

**2. Retina & Iris:** Scanners shine a strong light into the eye and look for distinctive patterns in the colorful ring around the pupil of the eye in this biometric. After that, the scanned pattern is compared to data recorded in a database. When a person wears spectacles or contact lenses, eye-based authentication can be inaccurate.

**3. Facial:** In facial authentication, multiple aspects of an individual’s face are scanned while they try to get access to a certain resource. When comparing faces from different angles or persons that look similar, such as family members, face recognition results can be inconsistent.

**4. Voice Recognition:** Your voice tone is stored with a standardized secret code in the same way that the above-mentioned approach does. A check occurs because you must speak off each time you want access.  

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**4. Certificate-based authentication:**

Certificate-based authentication identifies people, servers, workstations, and devices by using an electronic digital identity. In our daily lives, a digital certificate functions similarly to a driver’s license or a passport. A certificate is made up of a user’s digital identity, which contains a public key and a certification authority’s digital signature. This certificate verifies that the public key and the person who issued the certificate are both the same person. When a user attempts to log in to a server, they must first present their digital certificate. The server checks the digital certificate’s identity and credibility by confirming that the user has a correctly associated private key with the certificate using cryptography.  

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**5. Token-Based Authentication:**

Token-Based Authentication allows users to enter their credentials only once and obtain a one-of-a-kind encrypted string exchange in return. After that, you won’t have to input your credentials every time you want to log in or acquire access. The digital token ensures that you have already been granted access. Most use cases, such as Restful APIs that are accessed by many frameworks and clients, require token-based authentication.  


### How will miniOrange advance Authentication technologies will help you out? {#how-will-miniorange-advance-authentication-technologies-will-help-you-out}
As we get to know more about different types of Authentication, we will move forward with some advanced Authentication Solutions that miniOrange provides with “All in one Approach”. It will help you to Manage Identities and access both with advanced security features.


**Single Sign-On Authentication (SSO):**  
Single Sign-On is a subset of basic username-password-based Authentication. Going with SSO authentication will provide advanced security and multiple features with frictionless experience to your end-users. Single Sign-On as the name depicts allows individuals to enter their username and password once and get access to all configured applications. Simply stating you will have the provision to configure “N no apps” with miniOrange and you can set a single password for all these apps. With this, you don’t need to remember multiple passwords for different applications and you just need to login once and you will automatically get access to all applications. The benefit for this will include – As users need to remember just a single password they will not forget it or write it on any sticky notes type of stuff. Access to multiple applications will become easier which will improve efficiency and boost productivity. From the admin end, they will receive fewer support calls for password resets and login issues.

**2nd Factor Authentication (Two-Factor Authentication):**  
As the name implies, “two-factor authentication” requires an individual to pass two separate authentication procedures in order to gain access to a certain resource.Consider the following scenario: you have a website/app/group of applications and you want to add more protection to it to prevent current cyber assaults such as data breaches, phishing, or the use of key loggers. With miniOrange, you can configure any app/website built on any platform and enable 2FA for that application. One Time Passwords (OTP through SMS/ Email), Push Notifications, Biometrics, Authenticators (Google Microsoft,Authy), Yubikey and Hardware Token, and more 2FA options are available from miniOrange.According to one of the most recent security surveys, 2FA can prevent 80% of data breaches.

**Adaptive Authentication:**  
Adaptive Authentication is a type of authentication that adapts to the circumstances.” Adaptive Authentication,” a more advanced kind of 2FA/MFA authentication, is introduced. You can authenticate users depending on their “IP, Device, Location, Device, and Time of Access” in this section. If IP and Location-based authentication are enabled, after entering the username and password, Adaptive Authentication will check if the user’s IP is the same as the one used by the administrator and whether he is in the location to which he has been assigned. If he does not comply, he will be denied access to the resources. This is one of the most advanced authentication methods used by businesses to ensure their security.

**API Authentication:**  
Now-a-days, API has become a popular model because it handles large volumes of data and is a new dimension to the online security world. There are many API authentication methods, the most popular of them are HTTP Basic Auth, API keys, OAuth.

**HTTP Basic Authentication:**  
To prove their authenticity, a user agent just offers a username and password.  Because it believes in the HTTP header itself, this solution does not require cookies, session IDs, or login pages.

**API Passwords:**  
An API key is a unique identifier for web service requests that identifies their source (or similar types of requests).When a user attempts to get allowed access to a system for the first time through registration, a key is produced.Following that, the API key is paired with a secret token and is submitted with subsequent queries.When a user tries to re-enter the system, their unique key is used to verify that they are the same person who used the system previously.

**OAuth:**  
OAuth is a popular API authentication technique that allows for both authentication and authorization.OAuth allows the API to authenticate and access the system or resource requested by establishing scope.

 
### Conclusion {#conclusion}
In today’s fast-paced technology environment, security is the most crucial component in standing out from your competitors and providing a flawless experience to end consumers.  

Putting your security at risk can have a number of negative effects on your company, such as phishing attacks and data breaches. To avoid problems like these, you should choose an authentication system for your company that fits your budget and allows for a smooth user flow.  

As an experienced IAM solution supplier, miniOrange can assist you in determining the most reliable authentication option for your organizational structure. If you have any questions about the authentication procedure, you can contact [info@xecurify.com](mailto:info@xecurify.com).

Learn about Authentication, Different types of Authentication methods and how to implement them in your company to ensure your users always have proper access considering cybersecurity.

What is Authentication? Different Types of Authentication


### Double-Up your Atlassian Security with MFA! {#double-up-your-atlassian-security-with-mfa}

miniOrange stands as a reputed partner and provider of security and SSO solutions for multiple platforms being WordPress, Joomla, Shopify, Drupal & many more, within the industry. Built on a strong foundation of security fundamentals, we provide secure and reliable Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions that integrate seamlessly with the customer’s existing frameworks. We provide SSO solutions for all the Atlassian applications using protocols like SAML, OAuth 2.0, OIDC, etc. SSO enables users to securely authenticate with multiple applications by logging in only once – with just one set of login credentials. miniOrange has grown from its initial size of 4 to 150+ now. The company was built from the ground up by a group of experienced technology architects, with a background in security themselves.


Unwilling to continue in their day jobs, the team began miniOrange. Having a deep understanding of security, the miniOrange team applies their technical expertise to create unique and helpful solutions to the needs and challenges of the industry. The company aims to give organizations the ability to securely manage access to all of their web based applications in one place. We are growing day by day and will continue to do so!

&nbsp;&nbsp;

The miniOrange’s expertise in Identity And Access Management (IAM), Single Sign-On, Multi-factor Authentication, Network Security, API Security, Cyber Forensics. The central focus of our products and company revolve around these themes. Our solutions are specific, accurate and, most importantly, great at doing what they’re supposed to: Making you more secure!


### What is MFA/2FA ? {#what-is-mfa/2fa}

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an authentication method that requires the user to authenticate themselves for two or more factors, in order to gain access to company resources, applications, or a VPN. Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) means that users need to provide additional verification factors apart from their username and passwords. These second-factor methods can range from OTP over SMS, OTP over Email, Push notification, Google/Microsoft authenticator, and many more. 

&nbsp;&nbsp;

Having this extra layer of security ensures that the information being accessed is well protected from activities such as phishing, malware, hacking, and many more. Having a strong MFA setup ensures a robust Identity and Access Management (IAM) for your organization and secures your resources.

![2fa](/blog/assets/2023/configure-two-factor-authentication.webp)


The goal of leveraging MFA is to boost security and make a layered defense so that even if one factor (username-password) is stolen, the cyber attacker still has at least one more barrier to breach before successfully breaking into the actual targeted device. The second barrier is also usually harder to breach as compared to simple username passwords.

### How does it work? {#how-does-it-work}

One of the first steps of access control is the identification and authentication of users. There are three common factors used for authentication:

- Something you know (such as a password)
- Something you have (such as a smart card)
- Something you are (such as a fingerprint or other biometric method)

Identification occurs when a user professes an identity (such as with a username), and authentication occurs when users prove their identity. For example, users are authenticated when they provide both their username and correct password. Permissions, rights, and privileges are then granted to users based on their proven identity.

![MFA](/blog/assets/2023/mfa.webp)

### Our Products {#our-products}

![products](/blog/assets/2023/our-mfa-products.webp)

&nbsp;&nbsp;


We offer MFA for Server, Data Center & Cloud. 

- For Server & Data Center, it’s available for **Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Bamboo & Crowd.**
- For Cloud, we have a solution available for **Jira, Confluence and Bitbucket.**

### Features Our MFA Addons Provide {#features-our-mfa-addons-provide}

#### Supported MFA Methods

We have highest number of supported methods for MFA:
Mobile Authenticator (TOTP)

1. OTP over Email
2. OTP Over SMS
3. Hardware Token (Yubikey)
4. WebAuthn
5. Duo Push Notification
6. Backup Methods
7. Security Questions
8. Backup Codes

Admin options for User management

1. Enable 2FA for Jira Software and/or Jira Service Desk
2. Choose 2FA methods for end users
3. Enable, Disable & Reset 2FA for users 
4. Enable 2FA based on groups
5. Skip 2FA for a specific group

### Security {#security}

#### 2FA for Jira Service Desk 

2FA for Service Desk is the most used feature of our addon. In organizations, there are two types of users – one is employees and the other is customers. 

The employees use multiple applications (Jira, Confluence, Bitbucket, Jenkins, Sonarqube, etc) and usually there is one central application used to manage all the users at one place, which is known as an IDP(Identity provider). So organizations connect all the applications to the IDP and users login using Single Sign on. And along with Single sign on, they also enable second factor authentication on the IDP itself. 

In Jira Service Desk, as the customers are unlicensed users, they are usually managed on the Jira itself. We allow 2FA for those customers as well. 


#### Brute Force Protection

Brute Force Attacks are hacking methods that use trial and error methods to guess user credentials and gain unauthorized access. 

In the case of 2FA,  there are Brute Force 2FA Attacks. Here hackers first get the credentials and then try all the combinations of the OTP code (which is generally 6 digit) to gain unauthorized access.

Using the Brute force protection feature, you can restrict the number of continuous invalid 2FA attempts, making it impossible for the hacker to guess the OTP.

### Usability {#usability}

#### IP Whitelisting 

Here you can whitelist a range of IPs and the plugin will skip 2FA if the user is trying to login there which improves the usability of users. 

During the pandemic many organizations introduced 2FA. As employees started working from home, they were no longer logging in from the secure company’s Network. So it becomes easier for intruders to get into systems. And to solve this issue, they introduced 2FA. 

Here the IP whitelisting feature helps improve the usability of the employees. The admin can whitelist all the IPs inside the company network. So now if an employee tries to login from within the company’s network then 2FA will be skipped for that user. And if the same user tries to login to Jira from home (via some other laptop or from mobile phone) then the 2FA will be enforced.

#### Remember My Device

This feature helps a user mark some devices as trusted devices. 

So from next time 2FA will be skipped on that device for that user. So users don’t have to enter the 2nd factor again and again.

### 2FA For Atlassian Cloud {#2fa-for-atlassian-cloud}

To enable MFA on Atlassian cloud, you need Atlassian Access. It is a separate module created by Atlassian to provide functionalities like Single Sign on, 2FA and user management for all the cloud applications.

It supports two 2FA methods.

- Mobile Authenticator
- Backup Codes.

If these 2FA methods are sufficient to your organization then you can directly use Atlassian Access. 

**There are two limitations in Atlassian Access:**

1. It supports only 2 basic 2FA methods.
2. It does not allow using SSO and 2FA at the same time for a user.
miniOrange cloud 2FA solution overcomes these limitations. There are a total 3 important use cases where miniOrange cloud 2FA solution will be used:

**Case 1:**

Suppose you are already using 2FA methods like OTP over Email in your organization and you want to enable the same for Atlassian Cloud apps. Then Atlassian Access won’t be sufficient. Here you can use the miniOrange solution where almost all the 2FA methods are supported.

![2fa-methods](/blog/assets/2023/methods-of-2fa.webp)

**Case 2:**

Second case is, your users are stored on an Identity Provider(IDPs), your users login using SSO into Atlassian Applications and you want to enforce 2FA for your users. As Atlassian Access does not allow SSO and 2FA at the same time, it adds a compulsion on Identity Providers to have inbuilt support for Two Factor Authentication. But even many popular Identity Providers like ADFS, Keycloak, Auth0 and Shibboleth don’t support 2FA. Here miniOrange Identity Broker Solution can be used.

![atlassian-cloud](/blog/assets/2023/atlassian-cloud.webp)

**Case 3:**

Third case is, your users are stored on an IDP and your IDP supports 2FA as well. But it does not support the 2FA method that you want, (which you are already using in your organization).

**Contact:  atlassiansupport@xecurify.com**
**Visit: [www.miniorange.com/atlassian](https://www.miniorange.com/atlassian)**

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an authentication method that requires the user to authenticate themselves for two or more factors, in order to gain access to company resources, applications, or a VPN.

Double-Up your Atlassian Security with MFA!

Recent years have witnessed the rise of cyber attacks on companies globally. Today’s businesses are faced with cyber threats like ransomware, phishing, brute force attacks, etc. and these attacks bring losses of millions of dollars! It has become a norm to opt for proper cyber insurance to protect your business from the losses caused by these threats, but it is of no use if you don’t have a proper security measure in hand. [Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) is a robust security measure that will add an extra layer of security to your systems and help you comply with many top cyber insurance policies.

### What is Cyber Insurance & why MFA is required for Cyber Insurance Policies? {#what-is-cyber-insurance-and-why-mfa-is-required-for-cyber-insurance-policies?}
Cyber insurance or cyber risk insurance is a policy that offers coverage for losses and damages resulting from cyber security incidents. Whether it’s investigating a breach, covering legal fees, or compensating for lost income, the cyber insurance policy can help businesses recover from a cyber attack. But what is a threat in cyber security, exactly? Simply put, it’s any potential danger that could compromise your sensitive data or systems.  

Here MFA acts as a robust security feature that adds an extra layer of security to your systems and keeps your data safe. MFA is becoming increasingly important in cyber insurance policies as more businesses move their operations online. The risks of cyber attacks are higher than ever, and cyber insurance policies without MFA may not provide enough protection. By including MFA in a cyber insurance policy, businesses can reduce their risk of cyber attacks, and insurance providers can offer more comprehensive coverage options.


### What are of Benefits of Using MFA with Cyber Insurance? {#-what-are-of-benefits-of-using-mfa-with-cyber-insurance?}
Here are some key points to consider when thinking about the benefits of implementing MFA along with cyber insurance:

- **Optimizes cost of cyber insurance premium:** Insurance providers view MFA as a crucial security measure that can help prevent data breaches, making businesses less risky to insure. By implementing MFA, businesses can potentially reduce their insurance premiums and save money in the long run.
- **Ensure Compliance:** Many cyber insurance providers require insurers to comply with some regulations & compliances. Implementing MFA can help businesses meet these requirements and be eligible for top insurance policies.
- **Prevent Security Breaches:** While cyber insurance can help cover the costs associated with a breach, it can’t prevent the breach from happening. By implementing MFA, an extra layer of security is added which prevents information security threats and cyber attacks like unauthorized access, ransomware, phishing, etc.  

![cyberinsurance-mfa-benefits](/blog/assets/2023/benefits-of-cyberinsurance.webp)
 

### Choosing the Right Cyber Insurance MFA Policy {#choosing-the-right-cyber-insurance-mfa-policy}
When choosing a cyber insurance policy with MFA, it’s important to consider the specific MFA techniques included in the policy. Biometric authentication, token-based authentication, and SMS-based authentication are all effective MFA techniques that can be included in a policy. Additionally, it’s important to consider how MFA can be used to secure both internal and remote access to company resources.

 

### The Role of Insurance Providers in Promoting MFA {#the-role-of-insurance-providers-in-promoting-mfa}
Insurance providers can play a crucial role in promoting MFA and helping businesses implement MFA techniques. By partnering with cybersecurity companies, insurance providers can offer MFA as part of their policies and provide businesses with the necessary tools and resources to implement MFA effectively.

 

### Understanding Cyber Insurance and Why It’s Important {#understanding-cyber-insurance-and-why-its-important}
While cyber insurance MFA can help secure your business against cyber attacks, it’s important to understand the basics of cyber insurance and why it’s important. Cyber insurance policies typically offer coverage for data breach response, business interruption, and cyber extortion, among other things. By having a cyber insurance policy in place, businesses can recover more quickly from cyber attacks and reduce their financial losses.  

Maintaining a low-risk score is essential for businesses seeking cyber insurance MFA policies. A low-risk score indicates that a business has effective cybersecurity measures in place, making them less vulnerable to cyber-attacks and therefore less likely to make a claim on their insurance policy. To maintain a low-risk score, businesses should implement MFA techniques, such as biometric authentication or token-based authentication, to secure their systems and resources. Additionally, regular security audits, employee training, and incident response planning can all contribute to maintaining a low-risk score and ultimately reduce the cost of cyber insurance policies.

 
 
### How miniOrange helps in Cyber Insurance MFA? {#how-miniorange-helps-in-cyber-insurance-mfa}
miniOrange MFA is a powerful solution for implementing multi-factor authentication to enhance cybersecurity measures. With miniOrange MFA, businesses can ensure that their systems and data are protected against unauthorized access, reducing the risk of cyber attacks.  

miniOrange MFA supports a wide range of network authentication methods, including SAML, OAuth, OIDC, JWT, and Radius, making it easy to integrate with existing systems. There are several types of MFA available, including something the user knows (such as a password or PIN), something the user has (such as a security token or a smartphone with a specific app installed), and something the user is (such as biometric data like a fingerprint or facial recognition). With miniOrange MFA, businesses can choose from [15+ second-factor authentication methods](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa-methods), such as OTP over SMS, OTP over Email, Out of band SMS, Google Authenticator, and Microsoft Authenticator.  

When it comes to cyber insurance policies, implementing effective MFA techniques is crucial for reducing the risk of cyber attacks and maintaining a low-risk score. VPN can provide protection but it is not enough to tackle modern cyber attacks. By implementing miniOrange VPN MFA, businesses can protect their remote access points, reducing the risk of cyber attacks and improving their chances of obtaining comprehensive cyber insurance coverage.

 

![miniorange-mfa-methods](/blog/assets/2023/miniorange-mfa-solution.webp)

 

### Conclusion {#conclusion}
In conclusion, incorporating MFA into a cyber insurance policy can significantly improve a business’s protection against cyber attacks. By utilizing effective MFA techniques, businesses can lower the risk of cyber incidents, safeguard their data and operations, and recover quickly from potential security breaches. miniOrange offers state-of-the-art MFA solutions and [Risk-Based Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/solutions/risk-based-authentication-rba), enabling businesses to fulfill their cyber insurance requirements.  

If your cybersecurity insurance provider requires MFA, then miniOrange with its robust Access Control and Automated Account Management features can secure all services, including VPNs, cloud apps, and on-premises applications, and help you comply with all the regulations of your cyber insurance provider.

Safeguard your business against cyber threats with Cyber Insurance MFA. Learn how MFA can help protect your critical assets and reduce cyber attacks. Contact us today.

Everything You Need to Know About Cyber Insurance MFA for Business Protection


As we all know that the financial services industry is comparatively more at risk of cyber attacks than any other industry. Among all the cyber-attacks taking place all around the globe, 45% are related to the **banking cybersecurity** (recent PWC survey) & the major reason behind these attacks is money! For the finance sector or overall financial institutions, authentication plays a very important role since they are dealing with other people’s money and very sensitive personal information.

It greatly emerged during the lockdown period when bank branches closed and the digital channel became the only option for consumers to perform banking tasks or to connect with their banks. In the last two years more and more people were turning towards e-banking, online attacks are creating a threat to security for banking rapidly. Such growing cyber attacks motivate banks to go for stronger authentication methods, other than using only general usernames and passwords.

### Problems with Basic Authentication {#problems-with-basic-authentication} 

- The use of **single authentication** (username & password) is a huge problem today. Users put themselves at risk when they use weak or recycled passwords, or compromise their own data security with unsafe behavior, such as sharing passwords.
- In substance, different applications and systems authenticate in several ways, so there will be a higher risk because whilst **one system could also be very strong, another could also be weaker**.
- The problem finance sector face is that users **forget their passwords** all the time which makes it a major issue for security for banking. Suppose, each retail teller had access to about 12 different systems and each one had a different password, so this meant they often forgot one or more passwords and needed to call IT for help.


### How banking cybersecurity can be improved? {#how-banking-cybersecurity-can-be-improved} 

The act of conducting banking transactions through the internet is called e-banking. Prime Banks offers different online banking services to their users. They provide help to their customers to check his/her balance, make deposits, withdrawals, transactions, and even pay the bills from anywhere. This reduces physical visits to the bank, which enables serving more customers at a fraction of the cost and solves the issue of customer convenience. At such a situation security for banking services becomes necessary.**By strengthening the banking cybersecurity** and **protocols** of online banking by **verifying customer identities** with identity proofing and strong customer authentication, it would prevent unrestricted access to private information and further strengthen the relationship with customers and they can perform transactions with more reliability. 

Authentication methods that depend on more than one factor are called **multifactor authentication**. They are stronger, more reliable and harder to compromise method of authentication than single-factor authentication. The Banking Cybersecurity policy is what determines the structure of their identity and access management (IAM) strategy, and which bank multi-factor authentication methods and best practices need to be implemented.

Multifactor authentication includes **Security Q & A, SMS & email OTP, Hardware tokens, Software OTP, Push token, Smart card login, Biometric Authentication**, etc. The user must provide at least **two of the above** factors to gain access to the account with a multi-factor authentication measure. This enhances banking cybersecurity by prohibiting hackers from gaining access beyond the password or pin.

So nowadays, many institutes are turning to modern authentication protocols. This includes multi-factor authentication, and orchestration hubs in light of the onslaught of data breaches, identity theft, phishing scams, malware, and account takeover incidents.

Finally, a **good password policy** and consistent enforcement is key and **Single Sign-On** is even better to increase security for banking! 

### How miniOrange can help Financial Services? {#how-miniOrange-can-help-financial-services}

By enabling Strong Authentication, Fraud Prevention, and Single Sign-On solutions for Banking and Financial Services, miniOrange helps manage risks and comply with FFIEC regulations while providing comprehensive authentication solutions. Here are just a few examples:

**Strong Authentication:**

We help financial services solve various banking cybersecurity issues by leveraging its Strong Authentication solution and services. This will allow two or more components to authenticate a user or approve any online banking transaction – Authentication methods used could be **OTP, Software / Hardware token, Out of band authentication or even a push notification, Face detection or Biometrics**.

**Single Sign-On:**

miniOrange Single Sign-On solution allows Banks to very elegant One Customer view in a very seamless manner. After authenticating with miniOrange SSO, bank users can **easily access and navigate** within numerous applications, such as Banking, Credit Card, and Payment apps, as defined by the bank. miniOrange SSO Solution deploys in minutes and supports a variety of cloud-based applications, web applications, and legacy apps.


![SSO Workflow](/blog/assets/2023/sso-workflow.webp)

**Fraud Prevention:**

miniOrange Fraud Prevention product uses a **behavioral risk** based approach to minimize the risk of improper data access or loss of information. miniOrange Fraud Prevention applies the **real-time analysis** of incoming user requests for corporate information and prevents frauds with its dynamic risk engine in conjunction with enterprise-specific banking cybersecurity policy.

![Fraud Prevention](/blog/assets/2023/fraud-prevention.webp)


### To Summarize {#to-summarize} 

In reality, the threat to financial services from fraudsters was, is and always will be a major complication. Therefore, the financial service industry and strong banking cybersecurity must go together so as to provide a safe environment for the users. They must use updated tools according to the current environment so that security for banking & customer experience can be fulfilled.

### Additional Resources {#additional-resources} 

- [Single Sign-On](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso)
- [Adaptive Multi-Factor Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/adaptive-multi-factor-authentication-mfa)



Finance industry is comparatively more at risk of cyberattacks than any other industry. Strong banking cybersecurity has become important in todays growing digital society.

The necessity of Banking Cybersecurity


Connect Okta & Shopify with any apps on the web using [Okta Integration with Shopify](https://plugins.miniorange.com/shopify-scim-user-provisioning) with Okta as IDP. Enable secure SSO into Shopify Plus and Non-Plus stores, streamlining access for both customers and employees.

Okta is a platform in the Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) category, meaning it allows you, your colleagues, or customers access to all other (company) software with a single set of login credentials. In this case, SAML SSO with Okta allows your users to login to your Shopify store and access the storefront using Okta as IDP for authentication.

### What is Shopify SSO? {#what-is-shopify-sso}

miniOrange provides secure Single sign-on (SSO) access to your Shopify applications (both plus and non-Plus stores). Our SSO integration protocols include Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML 2.0), Open Authorization (OAuth), and OpenID Connect (OIDC). These protocols support IDPs like ADFS, Azure AD, Okta, Onelogin, AWS Cognito, GSuite/Google Apps, etc. These integrations are further secured using a [Two-Factor Authentication](https://plugins.miniorange.com/shopify-2-factor-authentication) (2FA) feature.

We strongly recommend enabling Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) alongside SAML SSO with Okta to improve security.

### How can miniOrange help in providing Okta Integration with Shopify with Okta as IDP? {#how-miniorange-help-in-okta-integration}

Okta SSO login for Shopify can be achieved by using our miniOrange Single Sign-On (SSO) Application. The application is compatible with all SAML-compliant Identity Providers and enables secure SAML SSO with Okta into Shopify stores.

It facilitates Okta integration with Shopify by acting as a SAML SP (Service Provider), establishing trust between the application and IDP to securely authenticate and enable single sign-on for the user into the Shopify stores. Now, you can integrate SSO functionality on your Shopify store using Okta as IDP.

Let us understand this with some examples:

1. **Okta SP initiated SSO:** Consider you have a Shopify store and your customers are stored in Okta. By implementing Okta [SP initiated SSO](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/idp-initiated-sp-initiated-login/), customers can log in to your Shopify store using their Okta credentials. Using SSO you delegate authentication, by handing over the responsibility of verifying a user’s credentials (such as username and password) to Okta. Once configured, you can get users logged in to your store without having to worry about the authentication process.

2. **Okta IDP initiated SSO:** For businesses that require more centralized control, Okta IDP initiated SSO allows users to initiate the login process from the Okta dashboard and then be redirected to the Shopify store. This feature is ideal for organizations that need to manage multiple application through Okta.

Our SSO application also allows you to configure the “Login with Okta” widget on your Shopify store. With just a single click, your customers can log in seamlessly, using Okta as IDP.

### Additional Benefits of Enabling Okta Shopify Single Sign-On (SSO) {#additonal-benefits-of-enabling-okta}

1. **Always On Single Sign-On**:Provides Unlimited User Authentications by Okta Shopify Integration with SSO login on Shopify store with Okta credentials.

&nbsp;

2. **Redirect URL**: Adding Redirect URL for switching users to a specific page of Shopify Store after SSO or leaving blank for bringing them back to the page where SSO is initiated.

&nbsp;

3. **Multiple IDPs**: Configure support for SAML SSO with Okta, as well as multiple other IDPs and authenticate different types of users with different IDPs.

&nbsp;

4. **Widget Customization**: Customize the Okta login widget without writing a single line of code.

&nbsp;

5. **Risk Based Authentication**: Enhancing security to your Shopify Store access avoiding Fraud prevention based on IP, Device, Location and Time based rules.

&nbsp;

6. Sign-Out Endpoint Configuration: Enable a seamless logout process for users by configuring the logout endpoint for Shopify. This ensures users are securely signed out across all platforms.

### User-sync: Major Benefit of Okta Integration with Shopify SSO {#major-benefits-of-okta-integration}

User Provisioning is an Identity Access Management (IAM) process that involves creating, updating, and deleting a user’s account and access to multiple applications and systems at once. The need for provisioning arises when information is added or modified in an “original system database” (e.g. HR Portal, Institute Database). For instance, hiring, promotions, or transfers are examples of events that can set off provisioning.

&nbsp;

Similarly, deprovisioning deletes user and removes their access from multiple applications and network systems at once. This action is generally triggered when an employee leaves a company or switches roles within the organization. Deprovisioning removes individual accounts on file servers and authentication servers, such as Active Directory, freeing up resources like disk space, ports, certificates and company-issued computers for future use.

&nbsp;

minOrange SCIM User Sync application provides both provisioning and deprovisioning features.

&nbsp;

**Let us try to visualize this with an example:** 

Consider an organization that has two Shopify stores with Okta as their IDP. When a new employee joins this organization and their account is created on Okta, the miniOrange SCIM User Sync application automatically creates accounts in the two Shopify stores. Additionally, after logging in using Okta SP initiated SSO, they can be assigned a specific group/tag through which access can be given to certain areas of the Shopify Storefront. This ensures employee’s access rights are up to date, without manual efforts.

If the employee leaves the organization and their Okta account is deleted, the user sync functionality will automatically disable their access to the Shopify accounts. This prevents unauthorized access to corporate resources, improving the security and confidentiality of the organization. This in turn secures the organisation’s applications and reduces administrative costs and time.

By using the [SCIM Provisioning](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/what-is-scim-provisioning-with-shopify/) and Deprovisioning Application, you can effectively manage user, access rights, and ensure seamless identity management.

&nbsp;

### Configuring Logout Endpoint for Better User Experience {#configuring-logout-endpoint}

Configuring a sign-out endpoint is crucial for a smooth user experience. Logout endpoints ensure that users are logged out from all connected systems after signing out of the Shopify store. This feature is especially useful in environments with multiple IDPs or applications, as it prevents unauthorized access arising from incomplete logout processes.

&nbsp;

### Conclusion {#conclusion}

Okta Integration with Shopify using Okta as IDP offers a secure and efficient way to manage user authentication for Shopify stores. By leveraging Single Sign-On using Okta as IDP and advanced features such as user sync, risk-based authentication, and sign-out endpoints, you can provide a seamless experience for customers while maintaining robust security.

&nbsp;

For more information, you can visit this step-by-step guide to [setup Okta as an IDP](https://plugins.miniorange.com/single-sign-on-sso-for-shopify-using-okta-as-identity-provider) in your Shopify store today!


Okta Integration with Shopify with Okta as IDP & easily connect Okta & Shopify with any apps on the web. Securely SSO into Shopify applications inclusive of the Plus Stores.

Okta integration with Shopify - Okta Shopify Single Sign-On (SSO)


SSO is an authentication and authorization process that enables a user to access multiple enterprise applications using a single set of login credentials (username and password). Simply put, SSO combines multiple application login screens into one, allowing you to submit credentials once and gain access to all applications without having to log in to each one individually. End users save time and effort by not having to sign in and out of a variety of web, on-premises, and cloud apps on a regular basis.

The simplicity of the [SSO login process on your LMS](https://plugins.miniorange.com/shopify-lms-integration) allows you to onboard students of any age. It saves time and resources that would otherwise be spent on IT helpdesk tickets related to account management.

Schools, colleges, and universities are the foundation of learning, growth, and development for young generations worldwide. They are vital institutions in civilized and developed societies, whether public or private.

These education providers have had to adapt to unexpected global events in recent years. Students of all ages have had to adapt to a learning environment that is unique to our generation. As a result, the technology used by these institutions must evolve with the times.

### How use Multi-Factor authentication (2FA) along with Single Sign-ON (SSO)? {#how-to-use-mfa-with-sso}
1. Firstly, the user navigates to the LMS application login page. For instance www.example.com/login. Users will be able to see the login with the Shopify button. When users click on it they will be redirected to the Shopify login page.
2. The user enters a username and password that they use to login into Shopify. The credentials are validated against the Shopify store. This is the first factor of authentication.
3. The site then prompts the user for two-factor authentication E.g Pop up asking for OTP sent over SMS /Email or push notification.
4. Once users validate their identity against the 2nd-factor method they choose, then they are granted access to the LMS application

### What is the purpose of Shopify CRM/LMS Integration? {#purpose-of-shopify-crm}
Starting an online store has never been simpler than with Shopify. LMS is a global leader in website creation, publishing, and management. The integration of Shopify LMS provides you with out-of-the-box functionality. Your learning management system (LMS) can greatly expand your training program’s reach, speed, and effectiveness with this integration. With a secure connector in place, integration with that existing software allows your new LMS to be fully populated with all your learner details in minutes, rather than hours, days, or weeks. With just a click your Shopify store can be integrated into any LMS platform. It’s a fantastic opportunity for those looking to break into the larger LMS Platforms to increase their productivity.

![](/blog/assets/2023/sso-integration-in-lms-shopify.webp)

**Take Your Store to the Next Level**
An LMS integration can take your Shopify store to the next level and help you attract more potential customers to your site by providing layout options, rich media embeds, comment capabilities, and Previous/Next post navigation. If you have a catalog of existing content created on another LMS that you want to display on Shopify, miniOrange can assist you with that, or if you want to integrate a new LMS with your store for added features and functionality.

**Upsell or highlight your featured collection on the Shopify login page whenever a user tries to SSO into your LMS platform using Shopify**
You can easily highlight your signature products on the Shopify Login page such that whenever a user is redirected to Shopify for login into LMS he will be able to see your highlighted collection of products. Since he is already logged into Shopify he can easily make a quick purchase and head over to the connected LMS platform right after that.

### Why Should You Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) in your LMS site? {#why-to-implement-mfa}
Suppose you have a Shopify store where you sell your LMS educational and teaching courses, video lectures, and other such things. Whenever any customers buy any course in your Shopify store, they will be able to access the same course on your LMS site through the miniOrange SCIM provisioning application. 

Assume a customer logs in to the store with his username and password and purchases any course. Consider the following scenario: a user shares his LMS site account credentials with friends in order for them to access the course on your LMS. As a store owner, you want to discourage people from sharing their login credentials and prevent multiple people from using the same login credential to access the same account at the same time.

Using MFA on your LMS site, you can simply deny a user access if their location information does not match what is specified on a whitelist, or it can be used as an additional form of authentication alongside other factors such as a password or OTP to confirm that user’s identity.

### Benefits of enabling Multi-factor authentication after successful SSO into your LMS {#benefits-of-enabling-mfa}

1. Enhanced Security: The implementation of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), which adds an extra layer of security, reduces the chances of an attacker impersonating a user and getting access to the system also no one apart from that user will be able to access the course so it will increase your sales and prevent users from sharing the courses
2. Fraud Prevention: MFA adds an additional layer of protection by ensuring that everyone who is doing Single Sign-on to the LMS using the credentials they use for the Shopify store is who they say they are, and preventing unwanted access.
3. Increased Productivity and Flexibility: Employees can securely access gated content and resources in LMS from almost any device or location, without interfering with the company’s network.
4. Improved User Trust: Users can protect their personal information using multi factor authentication (MFA) without exerting additional effort
5. Reduced Management Cost: If you use MFA, you’ll notice less suspicious behavior on client accounts and spend less money on security management as a result.
6. Adaptive Authentication: Adaptive Authentication (Risk-Based Authentication), an advanced form of Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a process of selecting the right authentication factors depending on a user’s risk profile defined and tends to adapt the type of authorization factors.
7. Adaptability For Different Use Cases: Extra precautions must be taken when dealing with sensitive data. The adaptive MFA evaluates risk based on contextual factors such as geolocation, IP address, and time since the last login.

### Top Use Cases {#top-use-cases}
1. **Shopify LMS SSO** : Shopify Store as an IDP application allows users to sign in to your LMS such as ClassLink, Clever, Canvas, docebo, thinkific, or Google Classroom using the credentials they use for Shopify Store. This simplifies ‌the login process and unifies accounts into one directory, making it easier for both you and your clients. Also, you can add an extra layer of protection to your LMS by challenging users to a second-factor authentication such as OTP over SMS, TOTP token, OTP over Email, Hardware tokens, etc. after successfully performing Single Sign-On (SSO) process.
2. **SSO with role-based access** : Besides SSO, this application also allows users to log in to ClassLink, Clever, Canvas, docebo, thinkific, and Google Classroom using Shopify store credentials, which can ‌determine the level of access a particular user gets based on the tags assigned in the Shopify store. For Example, teachers can set courses and assign homework assignments, while students can get read-only access to courses and submit their assignments for evaluation.

### Further Reading {#further-reading}
[LMS Shopify Integration](https://plugins.miniorange.com/shopify-lms-integration)  
[Adaptive multi-factor authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/adaptive-multi-factor-authentication-mfa)  
[Securing VPN with MFA](https://blog.miniorange.com/secure-vpn-with-multi-factor-authentication/)  

Shopify LMS integration allows organizations to sell online courses using the Shopify storefront. Enable MFA over your LMS site. Shopify SSO for LMS site.

Shopify and LMS integration | Enable MFA for your LMS site


## RADIUS Vs. TACACS+: What Enterprise Network Users Need to Know? {#RADIUS Vs. TACACS+: What Enterprise Network Users Need to Know?}

In the corporate world, enterprise networks form the backbone of organizations, facilitating seamless communication and data exchange. Modern businesses are often required to employ various **Authentication, Authorization & Accounting (AAA) protocols** to ensure the security and efficiency of their network infrastructure and devices like routers, switches, firewalls, Wi-Fi, VPNs, etc. 

**RADIUS and TACACS+** are popular AAA protocols facilitating AAA services, and each has unique advantages and disadvantages over the other. This blog aims to shed light on these two protocols, highlighting their features, strengths, and differences to help enterprise network users make informed decisions about their network security and network access control needs.

### Understanding AAA protocols {#Understanding AAA protocols}

The AAA protocols are the secret sauce that elevates your enterprise network security. It's like having a well-trained bouncer, an access control tailor, and a savvy detective rolled into one. Your network stays locked down, efficient, and audit-ready at all times. AAA or Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting is the ultimate trifecta that keeps your network safe, efficient, and in control while empowering your enterprise network to thrive with confidence!

### Understanding RADIUS {#Understanding RADIUS}

**RADIUS protocol (also known as Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service)** is a widely adopted networking protocol primarily used for user authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA). It was originally designed for dial-up connections but has evolved to cater to modern network environments. 

&nbsp;  

#### **How Does RADIUS Work?**

RADIUS operates in a client-server model, where the client (often a network access server) sends authentication requests to the RADIUS server, which then verifies user credentials and grants or denies access accordingly.  

&nbsp;  

#### **Key Features of RADIUS:**

1. **User Authentication:** RADIUS verifies the identity of users attempting to access the network by cross-referencing credentials against a centralized user database.

2. **Authorization:** Once a user is authenticated, RADIUS determines the level of access they are granted based on predefined policies and permissions.

3. **Accounting:** RADIUS logs network access-related information, such as login time, data usage, and session duration, for auditing and billing purposes.

4. **Scalability:** RADIUS has the capability to support a larger volume of users and network access devices, making it suitable for enterprise-level networks.  


### Understanding TACACS+ {#Understanding TACACS+}

**Terminal Access Controller Access-Control System Plus or TACACS+ protocol** is another authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) protocol, similar to RADIUS. It was developed as an improvement over the older TACACS protocol to address its limitations. 

The TACACS+ protocol provides separate authentication and authorization, which adds an extra layer of security compared to RADIUS. Like RADIUS, TACACS+ also operates in a client-server architecture.  

&nbsp;  

#### **Key Features of TACACS+:**

1. **Separation of Authentication and Authorization:** TACACS+ separates the authentication process from the authorization process, providing more granular network access control.

2. **Command-Level Authorization:** With TACACS+, administrators can control which commands a user is allowed to execute on a network device, enhancing security.

3. **Encryption:** TACACS+ encrypts the entire communication between the client and the server, making it more secure compared to the shared-secret encryption of RADIUS.

4. **Flexibility:** TACACS+ allows customization of authentication and authorization methods, providing greater flexibility to suit specific network security requirements.  


### RADIUS and TACACS+: Similarities {#RADIUS and TACACS+: Similarities}

RADIUS and TACACS+, although distinct protocols in their implementations, serve a common mission of fortifying your enterprise networks against unauthorized access and safeguarding your organization’s sensitive data & resources. As we delve into the similarities between these AAA protocols, you will gain a clearer appreciation for the fundamental principles that have made RADIUS and TACACS+ the pillars of network security. So, let's explore the convergence of these authentication powerhouses and their roles in enhancing the digital fortress of modern-day enterprises.  

&nbsp;  


| **Similarity Factors** | **RADIUS & TACACS+ Similarity** |
| :--------------------- |:--------------------------------|
| Purpose                | RADIUS and TACACS+ are both used to provide authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) services in network environments. |
| Client-Server Architecture | A client-server architecture is followed by both RADIUS and TACACS+, where the client (network device or user) initiates a connection request, and the server (authentication server) validates and processes the request. |
| Centralized Authentication | RADIUS and TACACS+ promote centralized authentication, which simplifies user management and streamlines the process of adding or revoking user access. |
| Industry Acceptance        | Both RADIUS and TACACS+ have been widely adopted and are considered industry standards for AAA services in many organizations.|
| Use in Network Devices     | Both protocols are supported by various network devices, such as routers, switches, VPN gateways, and wireless access points. |
| Extensible Authentication  | RADIUS and TACACS+ allow extensible authentication methods beyond the standard username & password based login. Both facilitate integration with Multi-Factor Authentication, Certificate-Based Authentication, and other methods. |
 
**Note:** With the miniOrange AAA services supporting RADIUS & TACACS+ protocols, you can also enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or Adaptive MFA to advance the security posture of your enterprise networks. miniOrange provides 15+ MFA methods to choose from.

### RADIUS Vs. TACACS+: Key Differences {#RADIUS Vs. TACACS+: Key Differences}

While both RADIUS and TACACS+ share some common ground, they also exhibit significant differences in their design, capabilities, and areas of application. Understanding these key distinctions is essential for enterprise network administrators seeking to make informed decisions about which protocol best suits their organization's specific security and authentication requirements. Let's explore the notable disparities between RADIUS and TACACS+.

### Advantages of TACACS+ over RADIUS {#Advantages of TACACS+ over RADIUS}

1. **Granular Access Control:** By allowing fine-tuned access policies based on user roles or groups, TACACS+ provides better network access control than RADIUS protocol.

2. **Robust Packet Encryption:** TACACS+ ensures secure data transmission with strong packet encryption, protecting sensitive information beside passwords.

3. **TCP Reliability:** Since TCP is primarily used, TACACS+ can facilitate reliable data communication, ensuring orderly transmission between client and server.

4. **Extensive Packet Structure:** TACACS+ accommodates additional attributes, offering more flexibility in communication.

5. **Tailored Router Management:** TACACS+ excels in router management, providing better control over device configurations.

6. **Enhanced Cisco Interoperability:** TACACS+ integrates seamlessly with Cisco devices, making it an ideal choice for Cisco-centric environments.


### Advantages of RADIUS over TACACS+ {#Advantages of RADIUS over TACACS+}

1. **Simplicity and Wide Support:** RADIUS is simpler to implement and widely supported across various network devices, making it easier to integrate into diverse environments.

2. **Authentication-Focused:** Authentication capabilities are very strong in RADIUS, and it is known for efficiently verifying user credentials for enterprise network access.

3. **UDP Efficiency:** Compared to TACACS+ which uses TCP protocol, RADIUS offers faster communication and lower overheads using UDP for data transmission.

4. **Compact Packet Structure:** The compact packet structure used in RADIUS protocols results in smaller packet sizes and efficient bandwidth utilization.

5. **Industry Standard:** With mature implementations and widespread adoption, RADIUS has been a long-standing industry standard.
 
6. **Interoperability:** RADIUS exhibits high interoperability, allowing seamless integration with various networking vendors and equipment.


### Secure Your Network Access with miniOrange {#Secure Your Network Access with miniOrange}

This blog gave you an idea of how to decide which protocol is more suitable for your enterprise networks, now it is time to select the right solution for your organization. You can secure your enterprise networks with **miniOrange AAA solutions supporting both TACACS+ and RADIUS protocols** and also other known protocols as well. Secure all your network devices like routers, switches, firewalls, Wi-Fi, and VPNs of different vendors like Cisco, Juniper, Fortinet, and many more with a single solution. Further, you can add an extra layer of security by enabling MFA or Multi-Factor Authentication on your enterprise network access with the miniOrange MFA solution, which supports all VPNs and network devices. 

**To know more about AAA Services & MFA, visit our website: [miniorange.com](https://www.miniorange.com/)**

**Start your [30-day full feature free trial](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/free-trial) with POC** 








If you as an Enterprise Network User are confused between choosing RADIUS Vs. TACACS+ for Network Security, then this blog will help you make a firm decision.

RADIUS Vs. TACACS+: What to Choose For Enterprise Networks?


Your accounts are protected with a password but it might not always be secure. Let’s say you are out with your family and your kid wants to buy a toy and you hand in your credit card to pay for it but it keeps getting declined. You are sure that you have enough balance in it to pay for it, but when you check your bank statement it shows it’s in negative and all your negative thoughts end up coming true.

This means that you have been hacked.

Similar issues might happen with your Jira as well. Hackers out there are always ready to pounce on weak passwords, vulnerabilities or leaks in data. This will lead to the possible revealing of your confidential company data. 

What can you do about it?

Well, don’t worry! You can add an extra layer of security with two-factor authentication.

&nbsp;&nbsp;  

**Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)**, also called two-step verification, is a security process in which a user has to pass two different authentication checks to gain access to their account. It helps you prohibit unauthorized access to your application.

To know more about protecting your Atlassian cloud applications check out our previous blog:-
[How to secure Atlassian cloud applications](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Atlassian-Access-articles/How-to-secure-Atlassian-Cloud-Applications/ba-p/1728600)

[Enable 2FA on Jira for your Customers and skip 2FA for Employees!](https://community.atlassian.com/t5/Jira-articles/Enable-2FA-on-Jira-for-your-Customers-and-skip-2FA-for-Employees/ba-p/1719062)

As 2FA functionality is not already provided in Atlassian Server and Data Center, you can use miniOrange 2FA plugins to enable the 2nd factor of authentication and strengthen access to your Jira accounts. 

Our miniOrange plugin provides you with various 2FA authentication methods like OTP over email, OTP over SMS, Google authenticator, Security questions, Yubikey hardware token, etc.

### OTP over SMS/ Email {#otp-over-email}

OTP (One Time Password) is the most famous & convenient validation technique used by a large number of organizations for two-factor authentication. The OTPs are short-lived and are shared with the user at the time of login. That makes it impossible for the hackers to get access to accounts even if they have user’s credentials.

In the SMS OTP validation technique, an OTP is sent to the user’s mobile phone via SMS. The user has to enter it during the 2FA verification step and the user gets application access only if the OTP is correct. 

We also provide the feature of OTP over Email. Here, the OTP is shipped off to the users on their registered email address. When a user attempts to log in to any device, the server sends an email to their registered company email address with the OTP. The user can then use this OTP to log in.

### Advantages of OTP over SMS and Email {#advantages-of-otp-over-sms-email}

- **Low cost & Ready rollout:**

Since mobile phones and email are readily available to everyone, the cost of implementing OTP over SMS and OTP over Email is very low as one doesn’t need anything extra. (If you use hardware tokens as a 2FA method then each user will need a dedicated hardware device)

- **Easy to use (No setup & no instructions):**

Execution of on-demand OTP delivery techniques is moderately easy for organizations. For instance, with SMS delivery, users don’t have to do any kind of setup and don’t need any extra applications, like authenticator apps, to be installed on their device. They just demand a code which they use at login. 

- **No Shared Secret to Crack:**

On-request OTPs are simply arbitrary numbers sent by the server at the time of login, so there’s no shared secret to be taken advantage of.

&nbsp;&nbsp;  

Reach out to us at **support-atlassian@miniorange.atlassian.net** or raise a support ticket by [clicking here.](https://miniorange.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/2)

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds an extra layer of security to your Jira account by requiring a one-time code (OTP) in addition to your password. To enable 2FA on Jira using OTP over SMS or email, miniOrange provides add-on for Atlassian Jira. 2FA benefits include increased security, reduced risk of data breaches, and compliance with regulations.

Secure your Jira with 2FA (OTP over SMS/ Email)


miniOrange provides the best [OTP Login & Verification Solution](https://plugins.miniorange.com/login-with-otp-into-shopify) for Shopify Plus & Non-Plus Stores. Easily login & register your users using OTP sent over their phone/email, this will keep away spammers or bots from your store and only allow genuine users to access your store. Also, you can prevent fake orders by verifying OTP before the user checks out.

### What is OTP and why is it important for your Shopify store? {#what-is-otp-and-why-it-is-important}

OTP stands for One-Time Password. Users don’t need to remember their credentials to log in if your Shopify store is equipped with a passwordless login method. This boosts your overall user retention rate, since many customers are lost if they fail to remember their credentials or if they aren’t willing to fill up the entire signup (registration) form. According to statistics, more than 50% of people fail to remember their login credentials and reset their passwords more than 5 times in a month’s duration on various platforms. Hence, to avoid this it is better to have a passwordless login solution like OTP Login for your Shopify store.

Most merchants complain about fewer sales in their stores. Generally, the reason for fewer sales is a non-feasible password-based login solution being used on your Shopify store. Since it is difficult to remember passwords, most of the customers look for an alternative solution (other platforms where they are already signed in) to purchase the product they are looking for. Logging in with an OTP only requires the user to enter their phone number or email address and then enter the OTP they have received on their phone. Authenticating a user with an OTP is a feasible solution and always recommended in regards to software security.

### Login with OTP verification over Email {#login-with-otp-verification}

Some people are too conscious about sharing their phone numbers online, as they are concerned about marketing campaigns flooding their message inbox. Hence, it is better to have an alternative to this solution. We provide OTP verification via email i.e. sending the OTP to the customer’s email address. With the flexibility of sending OTPs on both phone numbers and emails, a user is bound to sign up and stay with your platform. A secure platform always shows a certain level of trust between the platform and its customers.

### Check out why OTP Verification should be a necessity for your Shopify store {#why-otp-is-necessity}
With our ‘Login with OTP’ application, prompt users to verify their phone number using an OTP sent to their phone number or email address before onboarding them. We provide OTP verification on the registration page of the Shopify store. This ensures that only genuine users using unique phone numbers or email addresses are able to register to your Shopify store. This will prevent your Shopify store from bots/spammers and non-genuine users trying to create multiple fake accounts. You can store the phone number of your customers in the phone field of their profile instead of storing it in any other field.

Apart from basic OTP verification, authenticate your user again using a Multi-Factor Authenticator. We provide a variety of authentication options: OTP over apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, OTP over Email, SMS, Hardware Token and Push Notification on your phone. This helps you authenticate the user using a method that is unique only to them, and makes sure that the user itself is logging in and not someone else.

### Are you tired of spammers creating fake orders on your Shopify store? {#tired-of-fake-orders}

We provide OTP verification on the Checkout Page (Cart Page) of Shopify which ensures only verified users can place orders. It is necessary to verify if the user is genuine before accepting an order from them. It will help you to track your inventory more accurately. If bots are spamming your Shopify store with fake orders, it will affect your SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) of an item. When a genuine user tries to make a purchase, it might get lost due to the unavailability of the product caused by fake orders created by the spammer. As a result, OTP verification on the checkout page will help in preventing fake orders made by fraudsters or bots. If you want to make sure that the person making a purchase is genuine, you can add another authentication method on top of it, making it a Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or a Multi-Factor Authentication system.

### Are you looking to authenticate users before they make any changes to their user profile? Are you looking to authenticate users before making any special requests on your Shopify store? {#autneticate-users-before-making-any-request-to-shopify-store}
Our ‘Login with OTP’ application blends with any Shopify theme including Online Store 2.0 themes to add OTP verification on any Shopify page. Hence, a user’s request can be authenticated before they make any vital changes to their account. OTP verification can be prompted before accessing a specific page or content in your Shopify store. This will require the user to authenticate before accessing restricted content or making any changes to their profile on your Shopify page.

It is necessary to add Two-Factor Authentication on top of OTP Verification to ensure that the user is genuine. This will also act as another form of verification required from their side before they can make any changes to their profile.

### Are your customers using the same account to purchase products from your store? Are you tired of users sharing their accounts which causes your business to incur heavy losses? {#are-your-customers-using-same-account}

We provide a feature of session management that ensures that only one device is actively logged in at a time. It also enables you to verify the session of the user on any specific page of your store to confirm that the account is being used only by the account owner’s device. This prevents users from sharing their accounts with multiple users. Using a Multi-Factor Authentication system, it is easy to stop users from sharing their accounts with others, since the authentication methods are specific to the owner’s account.

![Shopify-Login-Page](/blog/assets/2023/otp-blog-image-otp-idea.webp)

### Are you convinced of getting the OTP Login solution for your store? {#getting-an-otp-login-solutions}
We have our own SMS Gateway which perfectly blends with our Login with OTP application. Also, you can use your custom SMS gateway for sending OTPs as we support more than 20 SMS Gateway providers.

### Pricing concerns {#pricing-concerns}
We have very affordable plans available for Shopify Plus & Non-Plus Stores as well. Our monthly plans start from as low as $25/month. Start with Login with OTP and secure your Shopify store today and prevent your store from malicious activities.

### Summary {#summery}
1. OTP Login is a must to secure your Shopify store from various threats which might also affect your business.
2. It is better to verify a user while they are signing up on your Shopify store. OTP Verification on the account registering page is a must to protect your store from spammers.
3. It is necessary to verify a user (using OTP verification) before they place an order on your store to prevent spamming of fake orders and to avoid inaccuracies in measuring your inventory.
4. Account sharing should be prevented to stop incurring heavy losses in your business if you are hosting paid subscription services on your store.
5. It is important to have a feasible login solution like OTP Login to retain more users and to avail them with the ease of login and sign up.
6. OTP Login solution starts at a very cheap price of $25. Considering the benefits it provides, the cost is highly justifiable.

### Further Reading {#further-reading}
1. [Install the Shopify OTP Login Application](https://apps.shopify.com/2-factor-authentication-and-passwordless-login)
2. [Checkout Login with OTP](https://plugins.miniorange.com/login-with-otp-into-shopify)
3. [Know more about Two-Factor Authentication](https://blog.miniorange.com/2fa-security/)
4. [Checkout other solutions provided by miniOrange](http://miniorange.com/)

OTP Login will prevent fake orders & spammers by verifying users with OTP sent on their phone/email at user registration & before checkout on Shopify Store.

The Best OTP Login & Verification solution for Shopify


On September 2021, an attacker published credentials for 87,000 FortiGate SSL VPN devices online and created a huge threat to VPN Security by exploiting a known, old vulnerability. Investigators concluded that the credential was obtained by exploiting CVE-2018-13379, a vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to download system files via specially crafted HTTP resource requests. Its vulnerability was given a CVSS score of 9.8.

During an attacker’s web scan for vulnerable devices, they got hold of the stolen info from “systems that remained unpatched” at the time, says Fortinet. Unless FortiOS SSL VPN passwords are changed since this scan, they can be compromised, according to Fortinet. “Fortinet has been actively advising and educating its customers about these vulnerabilities since first discovering them, urging them repeatedly to update their affected systems as soon as possible,” the company said in June.

Due to FortiOS SSL VPN’s popularity with enterprise users, this can also be used to compromise network security.

![Fortinet Attack](/blog/assets/2023/fortinet-attack.webp)

### Benefits of VPN {#benefits-of-vpn}
When you activate VPN on your device, it mainly provides the following benefits:

- **Privacy** — shields IP addresses, locations, search histories, and other details from being tracked by websites, browsers, cable companies, internet service providers, and others.
- **Security** — ensuring the safety of your personal information while it’s in transit or being received from and sent from your device.

![VPN MFA](/blog/assets/2023/vpn.webp) 

### Are VPNs really so secure? {#are-vpns-really-so-secure}

Although VPNs are good tools, they aren’t perfect. Malware and online attacks can infect them just like any computer program. VPN security is negated if infected. An attacker can use arbitrary data such as authentication files to retrieve data from many SSL VPN products. Additionally, **unauthorized attachment to a VPN** provides the attacker with a secondary exploit entry to a root shell.

In an eye-commencing article through Forbes, agencies all over the globe discovered simply how susceptible all of the “secure” VPNs with inside the marketplace are. Here is a series of Statistics on VPNs that would make you rethink your VPN security: Out of the ~ 5 Billion customers on the internet today, **~25% use VPNs**. That is an overwhelmingly big range to get access to factors to essential data and should be secured with no compromises. The studies observed that nearly 40% of VPNs comprise some form of malware in them. Even extra unexpected is the truth that this same study discovered over 70% of VPNs to embed a few shapes of unreliable and unethical third-party monitoring devices in the service. Free VPNs or even some paid VPNs have an inner data rate limiter setup, which nearly ensures slower speeds and therefore lesser efficiency. Advertisements on VPNs are a problem of notable difficulty as maximum Advertisements come connected with a risky user fingerprint that can best be made through tracking and sharing user records.

As we have seen in the above scenario, using specially crafted HTTP resource requests, an unauthenticated attacker may be able to download FortiOS system files through a path **traversal vulnerability** in the FortiOS SSL VPN web portal.

### How Two-Factor Authentication can be helpful? {#how-two-factor-authentication-can-be-helpful}

[Two-factor authentication (2FA)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/two-factor-authentication-(2fa)) prevents hackers from having access to your network using compromised credentials. 2FA calls for customers to validate their identification by supplying a 2nd safety component in addition to their password. When connecting to a company network, users have to first input their Active Directory credentials, followed by a time-factor based one-time password (OTP) or HMAC. This OTP is displayed on something that a user “owns”, including a specialized cell phone application known as an authenticator or a programmable hardware token. Ultimately, this provides an additional layer of security for your systems against unauthorized access.

![Mobile 2fa](/blog/assets/2023/2fa-mobile.webp)

### How VPN security is achieved with 2FA? {#how-vpn-security-is-achieved-with-2fa}

VPNs are a vital part of many businesses’ security infrastructures, providing employees with secure remote access to company resources. However, VPNs can also be vulnerable to attack if they are not properly secured.One way to help secure a VPN is to use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for all users. 2FA requires users to provide more than one form of authentication to access a system or resource. For example, a user might need to enter a password and also use a fingerprint reader or mobile device for two-factor authentication.2FA can be used to help secure both the client-side and server-side of a VPN connection. On the client side, 2FA can be used to authenticate the user before the VPN client software is even launched. This helps prevent attackers from launching the VPN client software with stolen credentials.On the server side, 2FA can be used to authenticate VPN users when they attempt to connect to the server. This helps ensure that only authorized users are able to access the server and helps prevent man-in-the-middle attacks. 2FA is not a perfect solution, but it can be an effective way for your **VPN security**.

### How can miniOrange help with VPN Security? {#how-can-miniOrange-help-with-vpn-security}

We can help you set up Two-factor authentication without problems and resolve the trouble of safety vulnerabilities in addition to privileged access control. If you’re using a Virtual Private Network, to permit your customers to connect over a public network, improving the security turns into a difficulty considering customers gain access to sensitive virtual assets. We can be of great help by providing [2FA on top of VPN Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/vpn-mfa-multi-factor-authentication). This secures access to protected resources instead of relying on only the VPN username/password.

Enabling Two-factor authentication for your Fortinet FortiGate managed active directory increases security and ensures customers only have access to the systems and resources they need access to.

### miniOrange 2FA for Fortinet FortiGate Login {#miniorange-2fa-for-fortinet-fortigate-login}

miniOrange accomplishes this by appearing as a **RADIUS server** that accepts the username/password of the consumer entered as a RADIUS request and validates the customer towards the user store as **Active Directory (AD)**. After the primary stage of verification, miniOrange activates the customer with 2FA and grants or denies access depending on the input through the customer.

![VPN Security](/blog/assets/2023/radius-server-flow.webp)

- Primary authentication starts off with the customer entering his Username and Password for Fortinet FortiGate.
- This request portrays as an authentication request to the RADIUS Server.
- miniOrange RADIUS server processes customer credentials to authenticate against the credentials saved in AD (Active Directory) / Database.
- Once the customer‘s first stage of authentication receives approval, AD sends the affirmation to RADIUS Server.
- After this miniOrange RADIUS Server asks for a 2FA task to the customer.
- Now, the customer enters the response/code which he gets on his hardware/phone.
- Customer feedback is scanned at miniOrange’s RADIUS Server side.
- After validating the successful 2nd-factor authentication, the RADIUS server gives access to the customer.

### What are different 2FA/MFA methods for Fortinet FortiGate supported by miniOrange? {#what-are-different-2fa/mfa-methods for-fortinet-fortigate-supported-by-miniOrange}
In addition to Push Notification, Soft Token, Microsoft/Google Authenticator, we support different methods of [2FA/MFA for Fortinet FortiGate](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/integrations/fortinet-multi-factor-authentication-mfa) secure access.

![MFA Methods](/blog/assets/2023/mfa-methods.webp)

Fortinet FortiGate can be secured using any of the 2FA methods listed above. You can integrate VPN 2FA with Fortinet FortiGate and miniOrange by configuring RADIUS authentication settings and policies.



Secure your VPN by using different two-factor authentication methods for Fortinet FortiGate﻿ SSL VPN security, How you can use 2FA for VPN.

VPN Security: How 2FA helps to secure your VPN?


### What is Adaptive Authentication? {# What is Adaptive Authentication?}   

Standard authentication methods, including [Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa), ask users for specific credentials whenever they try to log in or access corporate resources. While MFA provides better security by requiring additional credentials, such as a code from a smartphone app, it can still be vulnerable to cyberattacks if users always log in with the same credentials. Cybercriminals can potentially acquire or hack these credentials and use them to gain access.  

![What is Adaptive Authentication?](/blog/assets/2024/what-is-adaptive-authentication.webp)  

Adaptive Authentication changes this approach by dynamically adjusting the authentication process based on contextual risk factors, such as the user’s IP address, location, device, behaviour, and time of access. This ensures higher security while maintaining a smooth user experience. In low-risk scenarios, users can access resources seamlessly using their username and password. However, in higher-risk situations, the system requires additional verification steps or denies access altogether.  


### How Does Adaptive Authentication Work? {# How Does Adaptive Authentication Work?}  

Adaptive Authentication or [Risk-Based Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/solutions/risk-based-authentication-rba) creates a unique profile for each user, consisting of attributes such as geographical location, registered devices, job role, and IP address. When a user attempts to authenticate, their profile is assessed, and the system assigns a risk score based on factors like the device used, location, and time of access. Authentication requirements are then adjusted according to this risk score.  

For instance, if a user tries to access applications from an unregistered device, they may be prompted to register it. If logging in from an unusual location, they might need to answer a security question. In high-risk scenarios, such as logging in from a different country, the user may need to complete an additional MFA process to validate their identity.


### Adaptive Authentication and Machine Learning {# Adaptive Authentication and Machine Learning?}   

[Adaptive Authentication solutions](https://www.miniorange.com/products/adaptive-multi-factor-authentication-mfa) leverage machine learning to improve security and user experience. These systems learn user behavior over time, tracking devices, login times, and locations. They also monitor IP addresses and network reputations to spot unusual activity that might indicate a security risk.  

Machine learning helps assign a risk score based on behavior and context. The response to this risk is determined by rules set by IT, which can vary depending on the user’s role, location, and other factors. Advanced solutions use AI to monitor login attempts in real time, identifying any unusual patterns or threats.

![Adaptive Authentication and Machine Learning](/blog/assets/2024/adaptive-authentication-machine-learning.webp)   


### Adaptive Authentication Methods {# Adaptive Authentication Methods}

Here are some popular Adaptive Authentication methods:
- **IP-Based Restriction:** Admins set a list of IP addresses to allow or deny access. User login attempts are compared against this list to determine if access is granted, denied, or challenged.
- **Location-Based:** Admins configure a list of geo-locations where users can log in. If a user tries to log in from an unlisted location, they may be challenged or denied access.
- **Device-Based:** Users can link trusted devices to their accounts. Only these devices are permitted access, enhancing security by restricting access to known devices.
Time-Based Restriction: Access is granted or denied based on predefined time zones and policies. If a user logs in outside these parameters, they may face additional authentication steps or be denied access.


### Benefits of Adaptive Authentication {# Benefits of Adaptive Authentication}

- **Enhanced Data Protection:** Fortifies protection against unauthorized access, safeguarding corporate networks and privileged information. 
- **User-Friendly & Efficient Integration:** Smooth integration with existing infrastructure, allowing dynamic policy configuration.
- **Immediate User Access Control:** Adjusts access based on real-time risk assessment, ensuring secure login processes.
- **API-Enhanced Security:** Effortlessly integrates enhanced security across all cloud-based applications.
- **Universal Compatibility:** Works across various platforms and devices with web browsers.
- **Uninterrupted User Interaction:** Maintains user productivity by embedding security protocols invisibly.  


### Conclusion {# Conclusion}

Adaptive Authentication is a powerful approach that offers enhanced security by adapting to real-time risks. By tailoring authentication processes to match your organization's risk tolerance, you can achieve a balance between user experience and robust security. With solutions like those from miniOrange, organizations can effectively manage their authentication needs and protect against cyber threats.


Adaptive Authentication identifies malicious login attempts based on predefined risk factors like location, device status, and user behaviour. It prompts users to verify their identity through additional authentication steps when needed.

Adaptive Authentication


### Managing Access to Legacy and Cloud Applications {# Managing Access to Legacy and Cloud Applications}
Enterprises/Organizations’ needs to preserve and grow virtual workforces while protecting digital transformation efforts have constantly fueled the IAM market. As a result, numerous standards and methodologies for ensuring access for businesses have been developed. 

With the advent of web applications in the industry in the early 1990s, companies turned to Web Access Management (WAM) systems to manage [authentication and authorization](https://www.miniorange.com/blog/authentication-authorization-difference/) to corporate resources. WAM is more commonly known as **Header Based Authentication**, as the user request is authenticated based on the header values of the request. 

The **Federated authentication standards** used today, gained prominence in the early 2000s, and SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS began to gain a foothold in the enterprise, with businesses centralizing their [Identity and Access Management (IAM)](https://blog.miniorange.com/what-is-iam-identity-and-access-management-system/) programs around [IDaaS (Identity-as-a-Service)](https://blog.miniorange.com/what-is-identity-as-a-service-idaas/).

Regardless of how new a company is, it will inevitably possess legacy resources that rely on earlier generation technologies. Because legacy apps are still used by enterprises, a comprehensive IAM architecture cannot ignore them as Enterprises need to SSO into these legacy applications for a seamless user experience. Thus the employed IAM solution must support both legacy and modern technology applications.

 

### Legacy Authentication methods (Web Access Management or WAM) {# Legacy Authentication methods (Web Access Management or WAM)}
Web Access Management is a legacy authentication mechanism for managing authentication and authorization to corporate resources. It was first utilized in the early 1990s. 

A WAM system requests authentication from the end user, then injects identity data via the HTTP headers of a user’s browser’s HTTP request, for consumption by the protected application. This is more commonly referred to as Header Based SSO. These Header values can be configured as required for the application and are sent to the application via an application proxy. 

The following are some of the advantages of employing Application Proxies’ native support for header-based authentication:

- **Provide remote access to your on-premises apps with ease**: App Proxy makes existing remote access architecture easier to manage by eliminating the need for VPN access and on-premises identity management. Users’ sign-in flows remain unchanged, and they can work from any location on any device.  
- **No need to install any extra software**: There is no need to install any extra software or make any changes to your apps because current Application Proxy connectors can be used.
- **A large number of attributes and transformations are available**: Because all header values are adjustable, there is a large number of attributes and transformations to choose from.

![Legacy authentication model](/blog/assets/2023/legacy-authentication-model.webp)

 

### Traditional WAM models are divided into two categories {# Traditional WAM models are divided into two categories}
#### **Agent/plugin-based models**  
In agent/plugin-based models, an agent/plugin is installed on each app or web server. These agents/plugins intercept HTTP requests before they’re sent to the target application (to read the HTTP header data), communicate with the centralized policy server, and enforce access rules. This solution eliminates the requirement for all traffic to be routed through a proxy, allowing for a distributed design, but it comes with the cost of needing to install, update, and administering agent software on each app server in your environment.

#### **Proxy-based models**  
In Proxy-based models, all web traffic is routed through a network traffic manager, where HTTP requests can be rejected or authorized based on policies. This paradigm presented a single point of failure, but it also provided protocol-level granular access control without the need for software installation. 

### Modern Authentication Methods (SAML/OAuth/OpenID) {# Modern Authentication Methods (SAML/OAuth/OpenID)}
Modern authentication techniques, unlike Legacy authentication methods, use a token-based approach. In this paradigm, an identity provider provides a token with information about the user to the application (service provider), such as a JSON Web Token (JWT) or SOAP payload. This token contains user claims that can be used by the application code to make access decisions.

The token paradigm exchanges information between the [identity provider (IdP)](https://blog.miniorange.com/what-is-an-identity-provider-idp/) and the service provider (SP), which is the app, using the end user’s encrypted browser context. Because this architecture does not require direct communication between the IdP and the SP, no networking changes are necessary, no agents are required, and traffic does not need to be routed through a proxy. These advantages have contributed to the creation and popularity of SAML and OIDC, and traditional WAM approaches are now out of favor.

![Modern authentication model](/blog/assets/2023/modern-authentication-model.webp)

 
### Unified IAM Solution for both Legacy and Modern Applications {#Unified IAM Solution for both Legacy and Modern Applications}
As previously stated, all organizations, no matter how young, inevitably have a mix of cloud and legacy resources in their environment, necessitating the use of an IAM solution that provides a seamless, single sign-on experience for end users whether they’re accessing on-premise legacy applications or SaaS solutions.

![miniOrange Unified IAM Model](/blog/assets/2023/miniorange-unified-iam-model.webp)

miniOrange’s [IAM solution](https://www.miniorange.com/) provides best-of-breed architecture by utilizing all available resources to provide a smooth [SSO experience](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso). Using miniOrange Legacy Application [SSO modules](https://www.miniorange.com/integrations/), the IAM solution integrates with the existing legacy application, providing users with a seamless, single sign-on experience, regardless of whether the application they are accessing is Legacy or Modern. 
 

### Benefit of unified approach {# Benefit of unified approach}
This solution offers secure and smooth access to any application or resource irrespective of the authentication method supported by them.

Adopt Standards— Embracing SSO standards such as SAML for application access helps maintain IT architecture flexible.
Remove Redundancy—By fully exploiting the features of IdaaS and network traffic managers, legacy WAM providers may sometimes be completely eliminated from the environment.
Scale and Performance—Traffic Managers and Reverse Proxies are designed to protect some of the world’s most complex applications.
Consumer-Grade End User Experience—Extend miniOrange’s best-in-class SSO user experience to apps that IdaaS solutions aren’t built for.
Support for all new use cases—Integration with miniOrange IdaaS positions your organization to enforce [Multi-Factor Authentication](https://www.miniorange.com/products/multi-factor-authentication-mfa) and safeguard the mobile experience for all of your company’s web apps.
 

### Conclusion {# Conclusion}
By embracing the cloud, organizations can accelerate and gain significant advantages over less agile competition. Needless to say, as the shift cannot happen overnight, organizations will need to maintain their legacy systems for the time being. IT transformation will be accelerated by a modern identity management platform and a smart access management approach that bridges the gap between trusted on-premises applications and the new technologies being adopted.

 

#### **Getting Started with Your Free Trial**
Visit https://www.miniorange.com/businessfreetrial to start your 30-day free trial of our IAM services and see how simple it is to overcome identity and access management difficulties in the cloud.



Extends Modern authentication for users into enterprise Legacy applications, allowing users to login using the same username and password across both, modern and legacy applications.

Header Based Authentication


### What is JWT (JSON Web Token)? {#what-is-jwt-json-web-token}
JWT, or JSON Web Token, is an open standard used to share information between two parties securely — a client and a server. In most cases, it’s an encoded JSON containing a set of claims and a signature. It’s usually used in the context of other authentication mechanisms like OAuth, OpenID to share user-related information. It’s also a popular way to authenticate/authorize users in a microservice architecture.  

JWT authentication is a token-based stateless authentication mechanism. It is popularly used as a client-side-based stateless session, this means the server doesn’t have to completely rely on a data store (or) database to save session information.  

JWTs can be encrypted, but they are typically encoded & signed.  We will be focusing on Signed JWTs. The purpose of Signed JWT is not to hide the data but to ensure the authenticity of the data. And that is why it’s highly recommended to use HTTPS with Signed JWTs.

### Structure of JWT {#structure-of-jwt}
JWT structure is divided into three parts: header, payload, signature & is separated from each other by dot (.), and will follow the below structure:

 

![JSON Web Token(JWT) Structure](/blog/assets/2023/jwt-structure.webp)

 

- Header  
The header consists of two parts:  
1. The signing algorithm being used
2. The type of token, which is in this case mostly “JWT”  
- Payload
The payload usually contains the claims (user attributes) and additional data like issuer, expiration time, and audience.  
- Signature  
This is typically a hash of the header and payload sections of the JWT. The algorithm which is used to create the signature is the same algorithm mentioned in the header section of the JWT. Signature is used to validate that the JWT token wasn’t modified or changed during transit. It can also be used to validate the sender.  

The header and Payload section of the JWT is always Base64 encoded.


### How does JWT Authentication work? When to use JWT Authentication? {#how-does-jwt-authentication-work-when-to-use-jwt-authentication}

When it comes to API authentication and server-to-server authorization, JSON web token (JWT) is particularly a useful technology. In terms of Single Sign-On (SSO), it means that a service provider can receive trustworthy information from the authentication server. 

By sharing a secret key with the Identity Provider, the Service Provider can hash a part of a token it receives and compare it to the signature of the token. Now, if that result matches the signature, the SP knows that the information provided has come from the other entity possessing the key.

The following workflow explains the authentication flow:

![JSON Web Token(JWT) Authentication Workflow](/blog/assets/2023/jwt-workflow.webp)


1. User sign-in using username and password.
2. The authentication server verifies the credentials and issues a JWT signed using a private key.
3. Moving forward, the client will use the JWT to access protected resources by passing the JWT in the HTTP Authorization header.
4. The resource server then verifies the authenticity of the token using the public key.  

The Identity Provider generates a JWT certifying user identity, and the resource server decodes and verifies the authenticity of the token using the public key.

Since the tokens are used for authorization and authentication in future requests and API calls great care must be taken to prevent security issues. These tokens shouldn’t be stored in publicly accessible areas like the browser’s local storage or cookies. In case there are no other choices, then the payload should be encrypted.

### How JWT Single Sign-On (SSO) works for multiple web apps {#how-jwt-single-sign-on-sso-works-for-multiple-web-apps}
Single Sign-On (SSO) allows you to authenticate users in your systems and subsequently informs applications that the user has been authenticated. On successful authentication, a JWT token is generated and returned, which can be consumed by the app to create a user session. The token is automatically verified with the IDP when they sign in. The user is then allowed to access the apps without being prompted to enter separate sign-in credentials.  

This security mechanism allows applications to trust the sign-in requests it gets from the systems. Furthermore, these apps will only grant access to the users who have been authenticated by you/admin & hence Single Sign-On (SSO) relies on JSON Web Token (JWT) for securing the exchange of user authentication data. Great care must be taken in terms of how this token is stored and managed.

### miniOrange JWT Authentication for Apps that don’t Support Standard SSO Protocols {#miniorange-jwt-authentication-for-apps-that-dont-support-standard-sso-protocols}

**Usecase: Create a custom SSO between 2 existing and independent websites with their own user database**

With [miniOrange](https://www.miniorange.com/?utm_source=miniorange+Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JWT+blog&utm_id=JWT+Blog-sso), you will be able to authenticate from existing User Stores and Identity Providers using protocols like SAML, OAuth OpenID, and SSO into websites that only support JWT Tokens. Yes, you heard it right. miniOrange provides Single Sign-On (SSO) for [JSON Web Token (JWT) apps](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/integrations/). This solution allows you to set up [Single Sign-On (SSO)](https://www.miniorange.com/products/single-sign-on-sso?utm_source=miniorange+Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JWT+blog&utm_id=JWT+Blog-sso) into your applications (say existing or independent), which does not support SSO Standard Protocols (like SAML 2.0, etc).  

This is done using JSON Web Token (JWT) tokens, and it can be easily integrated with your application built in any framework or language. This allows you to enable SSO for any mobile app, client-side apps, static sites which don’t support any SSO standard protocols and are built on platforms like React.js, Firebase, Cordova, Angular.js, etc. 

![miniOrange integration flow with jwt token](/blog/assets/2023/mo-integration-flow-with-jwt.webp)

&nbsp;  

#### **miniOrange makes it easy to enable SSO for your application with a simple 3-step process. All you need to do is:**

1. Embed a simple script on your site/app
2. Configure your Identity Provider/user store in miniOrange (optional)
3. Add a JWT App  

&nbsp;  

That’s it!! You can choose to either manage users in miniOrange or choose an external Identity Provider/user store. You can even enable MFA on top of SSO with just a configuration change, no other script changes or coding required. 

&nbsp;  

&nbsp;

#### **Checkout miniOrange’s JWT SSO solution for Most Trending Apps:**

- [Thinkific SSO](https://www.miniorange.com/thinkific-jwt-single-signon(sso)-solution?utm_source=miniorange+Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JWT+blog&utm_id=JWT+Blog-sso)
- [Webflow SSO](https://www.miniorange.com/webflow-single-sign-on-sso?utm_source=miniorange+Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JWT+blog&utm_id=JWT+Blog-sso)
- [Squarespace SSO](https://www.miniorange.com/squarespace-single-sign-on-sso?utm_source=miniorange+Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JWT+blog&utm_id=JWT+Blog-sso)
- [BigCommerce SSO](https://www.miniorange.com/bigcommerce-single-sign-on-sso?utm_source=miniorange+Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=JWT+blog&utm_id=JWT+Blog-sso)  

&nbsp;  

&nbsp;  

#### **Additional Helpful Links:**

- [Setup SSO authentication using JWT (JSON Web Token) | SSO for JWT apps | JWT Authentication| JWT SSO](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lSsEQm_J6E)
- [Setup SSO for any JWT Application](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/content-library/admin-docs/how-to-add-jwt-app)
- [Popular apps that use JWT for SSO](https://www.miniorange.com/iam/integrations/)

What is JWT (JSON Web Token)? JWT, or JSON Web Token, is an open standard used to share information between two parties securely — a client and a server.

What is JWT (JSON Web Token)? How does JWT Authentication work?


Single sign-on authentication (SSO authentication) has revolutionized the digital landscape by replacing the traditional login process. Gone are the days of asking users to remember passwords of multiple applications; SSO authentication simplifies the login experience. Additionally, it also enhances security and eliminates the frustration associated with password-based logins. 

Whether you run websites, develop apps, or run a business, user authentication is essential for both logistical and security reasons. We at miniOrange, understand the limitations of passwords and have come up with an ultra-secure  SSO authentication that can streamline user access, bolster security, and offer a better digital experience.

### What is the Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication method? {# What is the Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication method?}

SSO authentication revolutionizes the login experience by allowing users to access multiple applications, services, and accounts with a single login. A notable example is Salesforce's suite of applications, where logging into one grants access to all. This eliminates the hassle of repeatedly entering passwords when switching between applications like Salesforce Sales Cloud and Salesforce Service Cloud.  

The advantages of SSO authentication are many such as, users getting a hassle-free login experience while accessing multiple applications, administrators enjoying improved internal security through centralized monitoring of user accounts, and dealing with fewer password management-related responsibilities. SSO authentication also fosters collaboration and efficiency, such as the ease of sharing documents with other user accounts in the same ecosystem.


### How does SSO authentication work? {# How does SSO authentication work?}

To initiate the access process for a desired application or website, the user follows these steps within the SSO framework:

1. The user attempts to access a specific application or website provided by the Service Provider.
2. The application or website (Service Provider) directs the SSO request to the Identity Provider (IDP) for authentication.
3. The user provides their credentials associated with the Identity Provider to sign in.
4. Upon successful authentication by the IDP, a Single Sign-On response is sent back to the Service Provider.
5. With the received SSO response, the user is granted access to log in and securely utilize the desired resource or application.
6. Within the Service Provider's ecosystem, the user gains the ability to seamlessly access other pre-configured applications or websites through the SSO functionality.

### Is SSO authentication secure? {# Is SSO authentication secure?}

SSO systems are secure when implemented properly and used alongside other cybersecurity measures. They enhance internet security by reducing the reliance on weak passwords and centralizing systems for easier management and protection. However, centralization also presents some risks, as a breach in the central system could grant unauthorized access to all connected apps and tools.

And hence to overcome this issue and for enhance security, adding a two-factor login, such as miniOrange’s 2FA solution, provides an added layer of identity verification without significantly impacting the user experience. Two-factor login is becoming increasingly common, and users generally don't mind the added step for the benefits of prolonged secure access.

### Advantages of Single Sign-On (SSO) Authentication {# Advantages of Single Sign-On (SSO) Authentication}

**A. Enhanced user experience and convenience:**

- Simplifies access to multiple applications and services through a single login.
- Eliminates the need to remember and manage multiple passwords.
- Streamlines user experience, thus saving time and effort.

**B. Improved security and reduced password fatigue:**

- Reduces reliance on weak or reused passwords.
- Enables stronger password policies 
- Minimizes the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

**C. Centralized user management and access control:**

- Simplifies administration and maintenance of user accounts.
- Allows for easy provisioning and deprovisioning of user access.
- Enhances control over user access privileges and security policies.


### Single Sign On Authentication methods {# Single Sign On Authentication methods}

Let us have a look at some of the advanced and indispensable Single Sign-on authentication methods for your organization. 

**1. SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language):**  
SAML is a widely adopted standard for implementing Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication, offering several advantages. With SAML-based SSO, users are relieved from manually entering credentials and the burden of remembering and changing passwords. Weak passwords become less of a concern as SAML leverages existing identity information. It seamlessly integrates with existing identity systems like Active Directory, enabling a smoother authentication process. SAML-based SSO provides a secure and convenient method for accessing applications, leveraging existing identity information for an improved user experience and enhanced security.

**2. API Authentication:**  
In today's digital landscape, APIs have gained immense popularity due to their ability to manage and process vast amounts of data efficiently. APIs have introduced a new realm of possibilities in the realm of online security. Among the numerous API authentication methods available, some of the most widely used are HTTP Basic Auth, API keys, and OAuth. 

**3. OAuth:**  
OAuth, a widely used API authentication method, provides a comprehensive solution for both authentication and authorization processes. By defining the scope, OAuth enables the API to authenticate and gain access to the requested system or resource.

**4. OpenID Connect:**  
Its an authentication method that builds upon the OAuth 2.0 framework. It serves as an identity layer and enables applications or websites to authenticate its users and verify their identity. This is done by leveraging an authorization server, which performs the authentication process. Overall, OpenID Connect enables applications to verify the identity of users by relying on an authorization server's authentication.

**5. Smartcard Based:**  
Smartcard SSO authentication uses smartcards as secure authentication token. Each user has a smart card with a digital certificate and private key. Users insert the smartcard into a reader, authenticate with a PIN or biometric, and gain access to authorized resources without further authentication. It enables users to access multiple resources, simplifying the authentication process and enhancing user convenience. This method offers strong security, eliminates the need for multiple passwords, and simplifies the authentication process. 


### Conclusion {# Conclusion}

In the rapidly evolving technology landscape, prioritizing security is essential to differentiate yourself from competitors and deliver a seamless experience to end-users.

Compromising security exposes your company to various risks, including phishing attacks and data breaches. To mitigate such risks, it's crucial to select an authentication system that aligns with your budget and ensures a seamless user experience. As a trusted provider of Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions, miniOrange can help you identify the most dependable authentication solution for your organizational needs. We also provide solutions for WordPress to perform [WordPress SAML SSO](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-single-sign-on-sso) or [OAuth SSO](https://plugins.miniorange.com/wordpress-sso) using SAML and OAuth protocols. If you have any inquiries regarding the SSO authentication process, feel free to reach out to us at idpsupport@xecurify.com.

### FAQs {# FAQs}  

**1. What is the difference between SSO and SSO authentication?**  
In Single Sign-On, users can access multiple systems or applications using a single set of login credentials. It eliminates the need for users to remember and manage separate usernames and passwords for each system. It enables users to authenticate once and give access to various systems seamlessly.  

Whereas SSO authentication emphasizes the authentication aspect of SSO, where user's identity is verified using a single set of credentials across multiple systems. SSO authentication ensures that the user's login information is securely validated and grants them access to the authorized systems.  

In summary, SSO is the overarching concept of using a single login across multiple systems, while SSO authentication focuses on the authentication mechanism that allows for this seamless access.

**2. What does SSO authentication stand for?**  
SSO authentication stands for Single Sign-On authentication, which is a method that allows users to log in once with a single set of credentials to access multiple applications or services.  

**3. What is the difference between single sign-on and MFA?**  
The difference between single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) is that SSO is a method where users can access multiple applications with a single set of login credentials, while MFA is an additional security layer that requires users to provide multiple forms of authentication, such as a password and a verification code.

Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication enables users to securely log in with a single ID across multiple independent software systems.