What are the best practices for IAM interoperability standards and protocols?

Best practices for IAM interoperability standards and protocols involve a few open standard layered-security strategies. Using OAuth for authorization and OIDC for authentication secure access to resources. SAML is ideal for SSO capabilities across enterprise applications. LDAP should be used with best practices such as secure password storage and SSL for protecting data in transit. Employing UUID maintains unique identifiers across systems. For database access, JDBC and/or ODBC are critical for ensuring standardized communication between applications and databases. Following the above multi-layered protocol (non-exhaustive) architects a secure and interoperable IAM environment for a variety of applications and services.

Best practices for IAM interoperability include: 1. **Adopt Standard Protocols**: - **OAuth 2.0**: For secure token-based authorization. - **OIDC**: Adds an identity layer to OAuth 2.0. - **SAML**: Enables single sign-on (SSO). - **SCIM**: Automates user provisioning and de-provisioning. 2. **Implement Robust Security Measures**: - **Encryption**: Use TLS for secure communications. - **Token Management**: Use short-lived tokens. - **MFA**: Require multiple verification forms. - **Least Privilege**: Minimize user access levels. 3. **Ensure Scalability and Performance**: - **Load Balancing**: Distribute requests. - **Caching**: Reduce system load. - **Federation**: Allow cross-organization access.

I would split this topic in two. 1- Identity Management: Altought several IGA/IDM applications have Out-of-the-box connectors for market applications, such as SAP, Database, AD, Azure, AWS, GCP, etc; whenever native connetor is not available, using using a standard protocol for Identity Management, such as SCIM or REST itself, would avoid vendor lock and make it easier to maitain or replace. 2- Access Management: Using OIDC/oAuth2 with the correct Flow is primordial to secure the access and follow security standards for authentication and authorization. Using SAML2.0 for SSO and whenever OIDC/oAuth is not possible is also good. LDAPS can be used for some cases, same for Kerberos(altought I dont like it very much).

Best practices for IAM interoperability standards involve selecting widely accepted protocols like SAML 2.0, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect for authentication and authorization. Use standard protocols for IGA integration i.e. LDAP, JDBC, Restful API, SCIM 2.0 etc. Emphasize compatibility with industry standards like SAML for single sign-on. Prioritize scalability, security, and ease of integration to ensure seamless interoperability across diverse systems. Regularly update protocols to adhere to evolving security requirements and industry trends.

Choose established protocols for better interoperability: SAML: Ideal for browser-based SSO & enterprise apps OAuth & OpenID Connect (OIDC): Suitable for API access delegation and user authentication (OIDC adds user information to OAuth). SCIM : Streamlines user provisioning/deprovisioning Implement Security Measures: Implement TLS to encrypt all communication channels Enforce MFA Adopt Zero-Trust model Implement Principle of Least Privilege (POLP) Provide JIT Access: Limiting access duration Implement RBAC & ABAC Ensure consistent implementation of chosen standards across all IAM systems. Leverage cloud-based IAM solutions for scalability and performance. Continuously monitor IAM integrations for suspicious activity

I find this very important to secure the identities. While adapting the TLS for encryption and secure web traffic, updating to the latest version is crucial. Same goes without saying for the SSL certificates, always have a valid CA sign the certificates and have them rnewed in a timely manner to ensure secure validation of identities.

- ?? Use HTTPS and TLS to encrypt and secure web traffic and data, ensuring confidentiality and integrity during transactions. - ??? Implement PKI and certificates to verify and validate the identities of parties involved in IAM communications. - ?? Utilize JWT (JSON Web Tokens) and JWS (JSON Web Signatures) for encoding and signing identity and access tokens, enhancing security. - ?? Adopt FIDO (Fast Identity Online) and WebAuthn protocols to enable passwordless authentication, improving user experience and security. - ?? Ensure interoperability by adhering to widely accepted standards and protocols, facilitating seamless integration across different systems and platforms.

For robust IAM interoperability, prioritize secure protocols like HTTPS/TLS for data encryption, PKI/certificates for identity validation, and JWT/JWS for token security. Embrace technologies like FIDO/WebAuthn for passwordless authentication to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of identity and access transactions. Phishing resistant MFA is the key. look for token safety and replay attack prevention also.

For access tokens applicable to TLS encryption and JWT/JWS encoding, I mention of alternatives. including but certainly not limited to PASETO, Fernet and Branca. Perchance they are IAM interoperable. For PASETO, use local tokens for sensitive data requiring encryption and public tokens for situations where data integrity is paramount. With Fernet Tokens, ensure that the secret keys are securely managed and rotated regularly to prevent unauthorized access. For Branca Tokens, leverage their modern encryption standards for scenarios that require high security with simplicity. Across all protocols, maintain a consistent approach to token lifecycle management, including issuance, expiration, and revocation.

Make HTTPS/TLS mandatory for all communication channels Implement a PKI to manage digital certificates used for authentication and encryption Utilize JWT and JSON Web signature Integrate FIDO and WebAuthn standards to enable passwordless AuthN Utilize LDAPS to encrypt directory traffic, protecting sensitive user data stored in the directory Distribute traffic across multiple IAM servers for scalability and redundancy. Consider using a reverse proxy to add an extra layer of security and control. When using OAuth, prioritize secure grant types: Authorization Code with PKCE (most secure) Authorization Code (consider potential MitM attacks) Avoid: Client Credentials (no user context), Implicit (exposed token), ROPC (exposed credentials)

Opting for a federated and decentralized approach in IAM standards offers multiple perks. It curbs identity breaches, amps up user convenience by letting them utilize favored credentials, and boosts efficiency by sidestepping data duplication. By tapping into existing providers and systems sans a central repository, complexity shrinks, dependency lessens, and scalability, flexibility, and resilience soar in your IAM strategy.

I'll elucidate based on a ChainOps perspective for blockchain-relevant IAM. It’s pivotal to leverage blockchain’s immutability and transparency for secure identity verification and management. Smart contracts automate access control and enforce policies across different systems. In a Web3 context, decentralized identifiers (DIDs) enable users to prove their identity without centralized authentication services. Interoperability is further enhanced by using open standards (SAML for federated identity; OAuth for authorization). All the above create a robust IAM framework that is both secure and adaptable to the evolving Web3 digital landscape.

For maximum interoperability, consider adopting an Identity Orchestration service that translates ID data across diverse protocols and unifies access controls across diverse environments.

Based on my experience, adopting a federated and decentralised IAM approach offers numerous benefits, but consider these counterintuitive strategies: Maintain a controlled central repository for critical identities. Decentralise only certain aspects of IAM, like authentication, while centralising auditing and monitoring. Implement a hybrid model for high-risk assets. Give users more control over linking identity providers. Use dynamic federations that adjust to current needs. Adopt trust-based flexibility for varying decentralisation levels. Perform local identity proofing. Encourage decentralised innovation and transition gradually to ensure security and efficiency.

To my knowledge there are lot of advantages of a Federated and Decentralized IAM Approach, - reduces the impact of a single point of failure and makes it harder for attackers to compromise the entire system. - Allows users to authenticate once and access multiple applications using SSO - Eliminates the need for duplicating identity and access data across multiple systems.

Microsoft Azure Active Directory (AD) offers identity federation capabilities that allow organisations to integrate on-premises directories with cloud services. In a hybrid cloud environment, we used Azure AD Connect to synchronise our on-premises AD with Azure AD. This integration enabled seamless single sign-on (SSO) for users accessing both on-premises & cloud-based applications, streamlining the authentication process and improving user productivity. The FIDO2 standard enables passwordless authentication using public key cryptography. In a corporate environment, we implemented FIDO2 for employee authentication. Users authenticated using security keys or biometric methods, such as fingerprint recognition.

When looking to adopt standards to improve interoperability, dig a little deeper and don't simply accept "xyz support" for granted. For example, the SaaS platform you're considering may support SAML but only in the "ultimate/enterprise" edition. SCIM support in your software may only function as a client rather than a server. In situations like above, you'll need to rely on more extensible IAM platforms (for AuthN and AuthZ), which can be tailored to your specific use cases. A supercharged reverse proxy or edge gateway might suffice, while a fully functional API gateway may be required in others. Also, look on Identity Orchestration platforms and SCIM Gateways, which can provide flows and interfaces based on industry standards.

There will be some cases that you can't use standard protocols to ensure security. It does not mean that you can not add security layers to make it safer. For instance, if a legacy application can be only access using credentials, you could think about having a reverse proxy before the application itself. Some IDP have the possibility to use Reverse Proxy to provide a SSO experience while it's actually inputing users credentials into the application itself. Reverse Proxy will protect the application and bring a better user experience in this scenario.

In some cases, standard security protocols may not be applicable due to specific system requirements or legacy infrastructure. However, additional security layers can still be added to enhance safety. Custom encryption can protect data when standard methods aren’t feasible. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds extra verification steps, reducing unauthorized access risks. Network segmentation and isolating critical systems can limit breach impacts. Regular audits, continuous monitoring, and strict access controls help identify vulnerabilities and control user permissions.