A digital identity management platform supports unified login (often referred to as Single Sign-On or SSO) across platforms by centralizing user authentication and authorization. Instead of requiring users to log in separately to each application or service, the platform enables users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple systems seamlessly. This is achieved through standardized protocols, secure token management, and centralized identity stores.
Here’s how it works:
Centralized Identity Repository: The platform maintains a single source of truth for user identities, including credentials, roles, and permissions. This could be a database or directory service like LDAP or Active Directory.
Authentication Service: When a user attempts to access any connected application, the identity platform authenticates the user—typically via username/password, multi-factor authentication (MFA), or biometrics.
Token Issuance: Upon successful authentication, the platform issues a secure token (such as a JSON Web Token or SAML assertion) that contains user identity information and session data.
SSO Protocols: The platform leverages industry-standard protocols such as SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language), OAuth 2.0, and OpenID Connect to facilitate secure communication between the identity provider (IdP) and the service providers (SPs). These protocols allow applications to trust the identity platform without directly handling user credentials.
Session Management: The identity platform manages the user’s active session, allowing continued access to all integrated services until the session expires or the user logs out.
Example: Consider a company that uses a digital identity management platform to provide employees access to email, customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and internal dashboards. With unified login enabled, an employee logs in once using their corporate credentials. After authentication, they can open the CRM system or email client without needing to log in again. The identity platform verifies their session through tokens and ensures secure, seamless access.
In the context of cloud-based environments, platforms like Tencent Cloud CAM (Cloud Access Management) offer robust identity and access management solutions. Tencent Cloud CAM enables centralized user and permission management, supports federated identity through SAML and OIDC, and facilitates unified login across cloud services and custom applications. It also integrates with MFA and role-based access control (RBAC) to enhance security while delivering a smooth user experience.