A cloud identity provider (IdP) is a service that manages digital identities and provides authentication and authorization services for users and non-human identities (NHIs) accessing cloud resources.
Description
In the context of Non-Human Identities (NHIs), a Cloud Identity Provider (IdP) is crucial for managing access to cloud services and resources. NHIs can include applications, services, or devices that need to authenticate themselves without direct user interaction, such as IoT devices, automated scripts, or microservices. A cloud IdP centralizes the identity management process, enabling organizations to enforce security policies, manage permissions, and ensure compliance across their digital ecosystem. By utilizing protocols like OAuth, OpenID Connect, and SAML, cloud IdPs facilitate secure token-based authentication, allowing NHIs to obtain and use tokens for accessing APIs and services. This enhances security by minimizing the need for hardcoded credentials and supports dynamic and scalable environments, where identities can be provisioned and de-provisioned automatically based on changing requirements. As organizations increasingly adopt cloud services, the role of cloud IdPs in managing NHIs becomes essential for maintaining a secure and efficient cloud infrastructure.
Examples
- AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Microsoft Azure Active Directory
Additional Information
- Cloud IdPs support multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance security.
- They provide audit logs and reporting features for compliance and monitoring.