{"id":74548,"date":"2023-02-06T11:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-02-06T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/?p=74548"},"modified":"2024-06-21T12:55:45","modified_gmt":"2024-06-21T16:55:45","slug":"sp-sso-vs-idp-sso","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/blog\/sp-sso-vs-idp-sso","title":{"rendered":"Identity Provider SSO vs. Service Provider SSO"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Today\u2019s employees use multiple applications every day and don\u2019t have the time or mental space to memorize hundreds of passwords. They\u2019re also using many device types and are probably bringing their own device(s)<\/a> to work. You may think these are unrelated topics, but they aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enter: Single sign-on (SSO). Single sign-on models<\/a> enable users to connect to web apps, file sharing systems, and cloud servers with just one set of credentials, reducing their mental load and speeding up the login process<\/a>. SSO is ideal for admins, too, increasing their visibility and control and shrinking their queue of help tickets. Yes, SSO can also help to manage devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But when organizations start thinking about implementing SSO, they\u2019re likely to come across two methods: identity-initiated (IdP) SSO and service provider-initiated (SP) SSO. It\u2019s not all or nothing, because an IdP can wear both hats. That makes it possible for your team to consume services like device management from another platform if your primary IdP doesn\u2019t offer it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To ensure you pick the right SSO approach for your company, we\u2019ll explain what each of those terms means, their pros and cons, and how they differ. We\u2019ll also cover identity federation, which makes it possible to access services seamlessly by using your home IdP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is IdP-Initiated SSO?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In plain terms, identity provider-initiated single sign-on uses an identity-as-a-service provider (IdP) to validate an authenticated user\u2019s access to an application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organizations use identity providers to store user credentials and authenticate users who attempt to access the company\u2019s network. Many identity providers are OpenLDAP or Microsoft Active Directory implementations, or a cloud-based IdP like JumpCloud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In IdP-initiated SSO, users navigate to the company\u2019s identity provider and click on the application they want to access.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the background, the identity provider sends a SAML authentication request<\/a> to the service provider to ensure the end user has the appropriate access privileges. If the provider accepts the SAML response, the user can log into the application and start their session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is SP-Initiated SSO?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Service provider-initiated SSO flips this scenario \u2014 a service provider requests authentication from an identity provider to validate an authenticated user\u2019s access to an application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a user wants to log into an application, the application redirects the request to the company\u2019s identity provider. The identity provider confirms the user\u2019s identity and access level and sends a SAML response and assertion to the service provider, allowing the user to log in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the Difference Between IdP-Initiated SSO and SP-Initiated SSO?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The main difference between IdP-initiated SSO and SP-initiated SSO is where users start the login process. IdP-initiated login requests start in the identity provider, whereas SP-initiated login requests start in the application users want to access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An IdP-initiated login looks something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. A user logs into the identity provider.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The user clicks on the application they want to access in the IP catalog.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. The identity provider packages the user\u2019s identity, pertinent information, and what the user can access into an XML-based SAML assertion<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. The identity provider sends a secure reference to the SAML assertion to the service provider or through the user\u2019s browser.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. The service provider reviews the assertion and accepts the assertion as valid.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. The user is logged into the application and can begin their work.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    An SP-initiated login looks something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. An unauthenticated user goes to the login page of the application they want to use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. The service provider redirects the user to the identity provider.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. The identity provider creates a SAML assertion and sends it to the service provider.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. The service provider accepts the assertion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. The user is logged into the application and can begin their work.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      There are pros and cons to both methods of SSO initiation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Pros and Cons of IdP-Initiated SSO<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n