Cross-Platform Identity

Cross-platform identity refers to the capability of linking and managing a user’s electronic identity and attributes across multiple distinct systems, platforms, and organisational boundaries, enabling seamless authentication and authorisation across heterogeneous environments through federated identity management.

Semantic Classification

Content

Components

Federated Identity Management (FIM)

A framework of policies, protocols, and technologies that enables identity sharing across organisational boundaries. FIM establishes trust relationships between identity providers and service providers, allowing users to authenticate once and access multiple applications across different domains.

Key Differences: SSO vs Federation

• Single Sign-On (SSO): Authenticates single credentials across systems within one organisation

• Federated Identity: Extends SSO across multiple organisations through trust agreements

• Cross-Domain SSO: Enables authentication across federated domains without repeated login

  Standard Protocols

• SAML 2.0: XML-based protocol for exchanging authentication assertions between domains

• OAuth 2.0: Authorisation framework for delegated access across platforms

• OpenID Connect: Identity layer providing authentication over OAuth 2.0

• SCIM (System for Cross-Domain Identity Management): Standard for automating user provisioning

  Architecture Components

• Identity Provider (IdP): Authenticates users and issues identity assertions

• Service Provider (SP): Consumes identity assertions to grant access

• Federation Server: Manages trust relationships and token translation

• Identity Broker: Intermediary connecting multiple IdPs and SPs

  Implementation

  Federation Deployment Models

  1. Hub-and-Spoke: Central identity hub connects multiple partners
  2. Mesh Federation: Direct trust relationships between all parties
  3. Hybrid Federation: Combination of hub and mesh approaches

  Cross-Domain Identity Lifecycle

  1. Provisioning: Creating and synchronising identities across platforms
  2. Authentication: Verifying identity through federated protocols
  3. Authorisation: Applying access policies across domains
  4. Deprovisioning: Removing access when users leave or change roles

  Enterprise Use Cases

• Employee access to cloud SaaS applications

• Partner/supplier access to shared systems

• Customer identity across business units

• Mergers and acquisitions identity integration

• Multi-subsidiary identity management

  Best Practices

• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) at the IdP level

• Establish clear trust agreements between federated parties

• Use attribute-based access control for cross-domain authorisation

• Monitor federated sessions for anomalous behaviour

• Regularly audit and review trust relationships

• Plan for identity provider failover and redundancy

  Security Considerations

• Token integrity and encryption

• Session management across domains

• Credential protection at IdP

• Preventing identity fraud in federated systems

• Compliance with data residency requirements

Provenance