As part of the SAP Digital Identity Management portfolio, SAP Identity Authentication Service (IAS) provides a comprehensive set of features for managing user identities, securing access to critical business data, and protecting business processes from unauthorized access.
This article will take a deeper dive into the main features, capabilities, and advantages of SAP IAS and offer insight into how our team of SAP consultants can help optimize operations in your target systems.
Read on to learn more!
What is SAP IAS?
SAP IAS (Identity Authentication Service) is available as a cloud service within the SAP Business Technology platform, and it is designed to help users access business applications, processes, and data across the system and provide secure authentication methods for users.
With controlled cloud-based access in SAP IAS, users can leverage supported authentication methods and self-service options to easily control their own experience and connect cloud applications.
Key Features of SAP Identity Authentication Service
Here are a few main features of SAP IAS to better understand how it could help your organization:
1) Authentication and Single Sign-On
With SAP IAS functionality, users are able to choose the authentication method that bests meets their application control needs, including Form, Social, or Two-Factor Authentication mechanisms.
Organizations can also leverage SAML 2.0 protocol to provide single sign-on (SSO) capabilities to monitor and optimize access management across the enterprise.
2) Application Programming Interfaces
On one hand, SAP IAS users can use authentication via application programming interfaces (APIs) to integrate applications and consistently manage access for all users.
On the other hand, SCIM REST API functionality can be leveraged to manage users and groups, customize user interfaces to meet individual needs, and invite users to join user groups.
3) Risk-Based Authentication
Users can leverage SAP IAS functionality to configure risk-based authentication and enable multi-factor authentication based on a few different controls, including IP ranges, user type, user group, and authentication method.
4) Authentication Delegation
SAP IAS enables users to delegate authentication to either an on-premise IdP or a third-party identity authentication system to enforce single sign-on capabilities across on-premise systems and in the cloud.
Main Components of SAP Cloud Identity Services
SAP Cloud Identity Services is a robust cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) solution built to empower organizations to securely manage user identities and access their SAP and non-SAP applications, whether on-premises or in the cloud.
With features like single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and role-based access control, SAP Cloud Identity Services ensures users have convenient and secure access to the applications and data they need.
It also supports integration with various authentication providers, making it a flexible choice for businesses looking to enhance their security and user experience while maintaining compliance with data privacy regulations.
The SAP Cloud Identity portfolio consists of three main components, including:
SAP Identity Authentication Service (SAP IAS)
- Offers different authentication methods, like Single Sign-On and Multi-Factor Authentication, to control access to the application
- Provides Single Sign-On capabilities for on-premise and cloud-based applications
- Leverages different user store integration scenarios for secure identity authentication
- Secures access to different business processes and controls through risk-based access
SAP Identity Provisioning Services (SAP IPS)
- Offers cloud-based services to manage and optimize identity lifecycle management
- Use SCIM industry standards to identify identity providers for secure authentication
- Leverage cloud and hybrid environments to manage users, user roles, and user groups
- Provision and store users and user groups when a Local Identity Directory is configured
SAP Cloud Identity Access Governance (SAP IAG)
- Manage risk and compliance in a centralized platform available in the cloud or on-premise
- Leverage policy-driven business processes for enhanced access management
- Streamline design and governance to reduce complexity across the system
- Design access roles with machine learning-based algorithms for optimal role definition
Main Advantages of SAP Cloud Identity Services
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the main advantages of SAP Cloud Identity Services:
Improved Data Security
Because SAP Identity Authentication Services are set up in a fenced network separate from the SAP internal network, users can ensure better data, session, password, and network security across their entire system.
And, with a central point connecting SAP IAS with other SAP solutions, like SuccessFactors and the SAP Business Technology Platform, and serving as a proxy for non-SAP systems, users can keep better track of their data as it moves across the system or to/from different solutions.
Secure Authentication
SAP Cloud Identity Services offer secure authentication methods for both on-premise and cloud-based service provider applications, making it easier for users to access information and tasks throughout their system while still maintaining strong security standards.
Secure authentication capabilities can also be extended to non-SAP systems and third-party software to improve interoperability and security across integrated systems.
Multiple Authentication Methods
From delegated authentication through on-premise integration with user stores to Single Sign-On functionality, two-factor authentication based on one-time passwords, risk-based authentication, and more, SAP Cloud Identity Services provides an authentication method to meet all users’ needs.
How Can We Help?
Whether you need help implementing new SAP solutions across your enterprise, helping users leverage convenient self-service options for improved productivity, or anything else SAP-related, Surety Systems is here to help.
Our team of SAP consultants has the technical skills, functional expertise, and real-world experience needed to lead you to success, regardless of your project needs.
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