OKTA App Integration

Learn how to integrate third-party applications with OKTA. This guide covers the OKTA Integration Network, template-based integrations, custom integrations, and application provisioning.

Table of Contents

1. Integration Overview

Application Integration connects third-party applications to OKTA, enabling Single Sign-On (SSO) and automated user provisioning. OKTA supports thousands of pre-configured integrations and allows custom integrations for any application.

Integration capabilities:

  • Single Sign-On: Users authenticate once and access all applications
  • User Provisioning: Automatically create, update, and deactivate user accounts
  • Attribute Mapping: Map user profile data to application-specific attributes
  • Group Sync: Synchronize groups and group memberships
  • Password Management: Sync passwords or enable password reset
  • Lifecycle Management: Automate user onboarding and offboarding

1.1 Integration Types

OKTA supports different integration approaches:

  • Template-based: Pre-configured integrations from OKTA Integration Network
  • Custom SAML: Custom SAML 2.0 applications
  • Custom OIDC: Custom OpenID Connect applications
  • SWA (Secure Web Authentication): Form-based authentication
  • Header-based: HTTP header authentication

2. OKTA Integration Network

The OKTA Integration Network (OIN) is a catalog of thousands of pre-configured application integrations. These integrations are tested, maintained, and optimized by OKTA and application vendors.

2.1 Benefits of OIN Integrations

Using OIN integrations provides:

  • Quick setup: Pre-configured settings reduce setup time
  • Best practices: Optimized configurations
  • Support: OKTA and vendor support
  • Updates: Automatic updates when applications change
  • Documentation: Comprehensive setup guides
  • Testing: Tested for compatibility and security

2.2 Finding Integrations

To find integrations:

  1. Navigate to Applications → Applications
  2. Click Browse App Catalog
  3. Search by application name or category
  4. Browse by category (Productivity, Security, Development, etc.)
  5. Review integration details and capabilities

2.3 Integration Categories

Common integration categories include:

  • Productivity: Office 365, Google Workspace, Slack
  • CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics
  • Development: GitHub, GitLab, Jira, Confluence
  • Security: CrowdStrike, Splunk, Palo Alto
  • HR: Workday, SuccessFactors, BambooHR
  • Finance: NetSuite, QuickBooks, SAP
  • Collaboration: Zoom, Teams, WebEx

3. Template-Based Integrations

Template-based integrations use pre-configured templates from the OIN. These templates include default settings, attribute mappings, and provisioning configurations.

3.1 Adding Template Integration

  1. Browse the app catalog
  2. Select the application
  3. Click Add Integration
  4. Enter integration name
  5. Configure general settings (logo, visibility)
  6. Configure SSO settings (varies by application)
  7. Configure provisioning (if supported)
  8. Assign to users or groups

3.2 SSO Configuration

Template integrations may support different SSO methods:

  • SAML 2.0: Most common for enterprise applications
  • OpenID Connect: Modern applications and APIs
  • SWA: Form-based authentication
  • Header-based: HTTP header authentication
  • OAuth 2.0: API access and authorization

3.3 Configuration Steps

Common configuration steps:

  1. General Settings: Name, logo, visibility
  2. SSO Settings: Configure authentication method
  3. Attribute Mapping: Map OKTA attributes to application attributes
  4. Provisioning: Enable and configure user provisioning
  5. Assignments: Assign to users or groups
  6. Testing: Test SSO and provisioning

4. Custom Integrations

Custom integrations allow you to connect applications that aren't in the OIN or require custom configuration. OKTA supports various custom integration types.

4.1 Custom SAML Application

Create custom SAML application for applications that support SAML 2.0:

  1. Create App Integration → SAML 2.0
  2. Configure SAML settings (SSO URL, Entity ID, attributes)
  3. Download or share SAML metadata
  4. Configure application with OKTA metadata
  5. Test SSO flow

4.2 Custom OIDC Application

Create custom OIDC application for modern applications:

  1. Create App Integration → OpenID Connect
  2. Select application type (Web, SPA, Native, Service)
  3. Configure redirect URIs and grant types
  4. Configure scopes and claims
  5. Get client ID and secret
  6. Configure application with OKTA endpoints

4.3 SWA (Secure Web Authentication)

SWA is used for applications that don't support SAML or OIDC but use form-based authentication:

  • OKTA stores user credentials securely
  • OKTA automatically fills login forms
  • Users don't see or enter credentials
  • Supports password sync and updates
  • Less secure than SAML/OIDC (credentials stored in OKTA)

4.4 Header-Based Authentication

Header-based authentication sends user information via HTTP headers:

  • Application reads user info from HTTP headers
  • Requires OKTA Application Network (OAN) or reverse proxy
  • Headers contain username, email, groups, etc.
  • Useful for legacy applications
  • Requires network infrastructure setup

4.5 SCIM Provisioning

For custom provisioning, use SCIM (System for Cross-domain Identity Management):

  • SCIM 2.0 API for user provisioning
  • Create, update, deactivate users
  • Sync groups and memberships
  • Configure SCIM endpoint in application
  • Map attributes between OKTA and application

5. Application Provisioning

Application Provisioning automates the creation, update, and deactivation of user accounts in applications. This eliminates manual user management and ensures consistency.

5.1 Provisioning Types

OKTA supports different provisioning types:

  • OKTA to App: OKTA creates users in application (outbound)
  • App to OKTA: Application creates users in OKTA (inbound)
  • Both directions: Bidirectional synchronization

5.2 Provisioning Features

Provisioning can include:

  • Create: Automatically create user accounts
  • Update: Update user attributes when changed in OKTA
  • Deactivate: Deactivate accounts when users are deactivated
  • Reactivate: Reactivate accounts when users are reactivated
  • Group Sync: Synchronize groups and memberships
  • Password Sync: Synchronize passwords (if supported)

5.3 Provisioning Configuration

To configure provisioning:

  1. Open application settings
  2. Go to Provisioning tab
  3. Enable provisioning (OKTA to App, App to OKTA, or both)
  4. Configure API credentials (if required)
  5. Configure attribute mappings
  6. Configure provisioning rules (who gets provisioned)
  7. Test provisioning with a test user

5.4 Attribute Mapping

Attribute mapping defines how OKTA user attributes map to application attributes:

  • Map standard attributes (email, name, username)
  • Map custom attributes
  • Transform attribute values (if needed)
  • Set default values
  • Handle missing attributes

5.5 Provisioning Rules

Provisioning rules control which users get provisioned:

  • Provision all assigned users
  • Provision users in specific groups
  • Provision based on user attributes
  • Exclude certain users or groups

6. Integration Best Practices

Follow these best practices for successful application integrations:

6.1 Planning

  • Identify all applications to integrate
  • Prioritize integrations by business value
  • Document integration requirements
  • Identify required user attributes
  • Plan for testing and rollback

6.2 Configuration

  • Use OIN templates when available
  • Test in non-production environment first
  • Configure proper attribute mappings
  • Enable provisioning only when needed
  • Use groups for application assignment
  • Document custom configurations

6.3 Security

  • Prefer SAML or OIDC over SWA
  • Use strong certificates and keys
  • Enable MFA for sensitive applications
  • Review and restrict application permissions
  • Monitor access logs regularly
  • Keep integrations updated

6.4 Testing

  • Test SSO flow end-to-end
  • Verify attribute mappings
  • Test provisioning (create, update, deactivate)
  • Test error scenarios
  • Test with multiple users
  • Validate group synchronization

6.5 Maintenance

  • Monitor integration health
  • Review audit logs regularly
  • Update integrations when applications change
  • Document changes and configurations
  • Train support staff on integrations
  • Have rollback plans ready

Summary

OKTA provides comprehensive application integration capabilities through the OKTA Integration Network (OIN) and custom integrations. Template-based integrations offer quick setup with pre-configured settings, while custom integrations provide flexibility for unique requirements. Application provisioning automates user lifecycle management, reducing manual work and ensuring consistency. Following best practices for planning, configuration, security, testing, and maintenance ensures successful integrations that provide seamless user experience and enhanced security.

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