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chore: Add Single-Sign-On to API documentation #2670

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233 changes: 119 additions & 114 deletions apps/www/content/glossary/single-sign-on.mdx
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
@@ -1,162 +1,167 @@
---
title: "Single Sign-On API: Comprehensive Guide"
description: Unlock SSO API power. Learn REST API SSO authentication, AWS SSO API implementation. Real-world examples. Start today.
h1: "Single Sign-On API: Understanding and Implementation"
term: single-sign-on
title: "Single Sign On: API Development Guide"
description: Unlock SSO benefits in API development. Learn essentials from AWS SSO API examples. Master REST API SSO authentication.
h1: "Single Sign On: API Development"
term: Single Sign On
categories: []
takeaways:
tldr: Single-Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication scheme that allows a user to log in with a single ID and password to any of several related, yet independent, software systems.
tldr: Single Sign On (SSO) is an authentication process that allows a user to access multiple applications with one set of login credentials.
definitionAndStructure:
- key: Authentication Flow
value: Token-Based
- key: OAuth 2.0
value: Access Tokens
- key: Token Management
value: Refresh Tokens
- key: Unattended Authentication
value: IdP Managed
- key: SCIM
value: Account Synchronization
- key: Definition
value: Unified Authentication
- key: Functionality
value: Access Multiple Applications
- key: Types
value: OpenID, SAML
historicalContext:
- key: Introduced
value: Late 1990s
- key: Origin
value: Web Services (Single-Sign-On)
value: Web Services (Single Sign On)
- key: Evolution
value: Enterprise Single-Sign-On
value: Federated Single Sign On
usageInAPIs:
tags:
- rest
- oauth
- single-sign-on
- saml-2.0
description: Single-Sign-On is used in APIs to provide seamless user authentication across multiple systems. It is often implemented using OAuth 2.0 for token-based authentication and SCIM for account synchronization. SSO is particularly useful in SaaS applications and REST APIs.
- Authentication
- Security
- User Experience
description: In APIs, Single Sign On is used to authenticate users across multiple systems or applications. It simplifies the user experience by requiring only one set of login credentials. It also enhances security by reducing the number of attack vectors.
bestPractices:
- Use OAuth 2.0 for token-based authentication in SSO.
- Manage authentication through the Identity Provider (IdP) to maintain security.
- Use SCIM for account synchronization between the service provider and the IdP.
- Implement a trusted Identity Provider (IdP) to manage authentication.
- Use secure protocols like OpenID Connect or SAML for exchanging authentication and authorization data.
- Ensure the SSO solution complies with privacy and data protection regulations.
recommendedReading:
- url: https://auth0.com/learn/single-sign-on/
title: Understanding Single Sign-On (SSO)
- url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=996OiexHze0
title: OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect (in plain English)
- url: https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7642
title: "SCIM: System for Cross-domain Identity Management"
didYouKnow: Single-Sign-On not only improves user experience by reducing password fatigue, but also enhances security by minimizing the risk of password phishing.
title: Understanding Single Sign-On
- url: https://www.amazon.com/OpenID-Connect-OAuth-2-0-Definitive/dp/1724182536
title: OpenID Connect & OAuth 2.0 - The Definitive Guide
- url: https://www.okta.com/identity-101/saml-vs-oauth-which-one/
title: "SAML vs. OAuth: Which One Should I Use?"
didYouKnow: The concept of Single Sign On was first introduced in the context of network operating systems in the late 1980s.
faq:
- answer: Single Sign-On (SSO) in API context refers to a user authentication process that allows a user to use one set of login credentials (like username and password) to access multiple applications. The service authenticates the end-user for all the applications they have been given rights to and eliminates further prompts when the user switches applications during the same session. In the context of APIs, SSO can be used to provide a unified login mechanism across different systems or services, enhancing user experience and security.
question: What is SSO in API?
- answer: Creating your own Single Sign-On (SSO) involves several steps. First, identify the applications you want to connect to SSO. Second, integrate with an Identity Provider (IdP), which will handle the authentication process. Third, verify the data in your identity directory to ensure it's accurate and up-to-date. Fourth, evaluate user privileges to determine what each user should have access to. Finally, ensure the SSO system is highly available and secure. This involves implementing security measures such as encryption, regular audits, and monitoring to detect and respond to any security incidents.
question: How do I create my own SSO?
- answer: The Single Sign-On (SSO) method is an authentication scheme that allows users to log in with a single ID and password to any of several related, yet independent, software systems. It is a common procedure in enterprises, where a client accesses multiple resources connected to a local area network (LAN). With SSO, a user logs in once and gains access to all systems without being prompted to log in again for each of them.
question: What is the single sign-on SSO method?
- answer: OAuth 2.0 works in a REST API by providing a process for end-users to authorize third-party access to their server resources without sharing their credentials. It uses token-based authentication and authorization. When a user authenticates, the authorization server issues an access token that the application can use for authentication when making requests to the resource server on behalf of the user. The access token defines the scope and duration of the access. The application doesn't need to know the user's identity, which makes OAuth a secure and powerful method for handling access control.
question: How does OAuth work in the rest API?
updatedAt: 2024-11-15T12:58:49.000Z
- answer: Implementing Single Sign-On (SSO) in an API involves several steps. First, identify the application for which you want to implement SSO. Navigate to the application settings and locate the SSO URL. This URL is crucial as it will be used to authenticate users. Next, you need to download a certificate for your application. This can usually be found in the application management section. This certificate is used to verify the identity of your application during the SSO process. Once you have these elements, you can integrate SSO into your API by using the SSO URL for authentication requests and the certificate for verification.
question: How to implement SSO in API?
- answer: API authentication and Single Sign-On (SSO) serve different purposes. API authentication is a process that verifies the identity of a user or application trying to access data. It ensures that only authorized entities can access the data. On the other hand, SSO is a user authentication process that allows a user to use one set of login credentials to access multiple applications. The main difference is that API authentication focuses on data security, while SSO focuses on streamlining the user experience by reducing the need for multiple logins.
question: What is the difference between API authentication and SSO?
- answer: Developing Single Sign-On (SSO) involves several steps. First, identify the applications you want to connect via SSO. Second, integrate with an Identity Provider (IdP), which will handle the authentication of your users. Third, verify the data in your identity directory to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date. Fourth, evaluate user privileges to ensure they have the correct access rights. Finally, ensure the SSO system is secure and highly available to handle authentication requests at all times.
question: How to develop SSO?
- answer: Single Sign-On (SSO) and OAuth are both authentication protocols, but they serve different purposes. SSO is a process that allows users to use one set of login credentials to access multiple applications, simplifying the user experience. OAuth, on the other hand, is a protocol that allows an application to authorize another application to access its data on behalf of a user, without sharing the user's credentials. In other words, with SSO, users authenticate once to access multiple applications, while with OAuth, users grant permissions to applications to access data on their behalf.
question: What is the difference between SSO and OAuth?
updatedAt: 2024-11-25T16:38:30.000Z
slug: single-sign-on
---

**Single Sign-On (SSO)** is a user authentication process that allows users to access multiple applications with a single set of login credentials, such as a username and password. This approach is particularly beneficial in environments where users need to access various applications or systems, as it enhances security and user experience by reducing password fatigue and minimizing the time spent re-entering credentials across different platforms.
**Single Sign-On (SSO)** is an authentication process that allows users to access multiple applications with a single set of login credentials, such as a username and password. This approach is particularly beneficial in environments where users need to interact with various applications or systems, simplifying credential management and enhancing security by minimizing the number of attack surfaces.

## Understanding Single Sign-On (SSO) Concepts

Single Sign-On (SSO) enables users to authenticate with multiple systems and applications using one set of credentials managed by a central service. This central service authenticates the user and provides a token or similar credential that is trusted by all participating applications. SSO is widely adopted in enterprise environments to streamline user access to applications across different platforms and enhance security by centralizing user authentication.
Single Sign-On (SSO) enables users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple software systems without needing to log in again for each application. This is accomplished by centralizing the authentication mechanism, establishing a trust relationship between an identity provider and the applications.

## API vs SSO: Key Differences Explained
## Benefits of Implementing SSO in API Development

Understanding the differences between **APIs (Application Programming Interfaces)** and **SSO (Single Sign-On)** is crucial for developers. APIs allow software applications to interact with each other by sending requests and receiving responses. In contrast, SSO is a security process that facilitates a single user authentication process across multiple applications. While APIs can be utilized to implement SSO, the primary function of SSO is to authenticate users, not to facilitate direct application interaction.
Implementing SSO in API development significantly enhances user experience by reducing password fatigue associated with managing different username and password combinations. It decreases the time spent re-entering passwords, thereby increasing productivity. From a security standpoint, SSO reduces the potential for phishing attacks, as fewer passwords are used, which can be made more complex. Additionally, SSO simplifies the auditing of user accounts and access controls.

## Implementing AWS SSO API for Authentication
## How SSO Works: Technical Overview

To implement SSO using the **AWS SSO API**, developers can leverage the AWS SDK. Below is a simple example in Python using Boto3, AWS's SDK for Python:
SSO operates using a central authentication server trusted by all applications. When a user attempts to access an application, the application requests authentication from the central server. If the user has already authenticated with another application using the same SSO framework, the server confirms the authentication, allowing the user to bypass the login process. Common SSO protocols include **SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language)**, **OpenID Connect**, and **OAuth 2.0**.

## Implementing SSO with AWS: A Practical Guide

For developers looking to implement SSO in their applications, AWS provides robust solutions. Below is a **single sign-on example** using AWS Cognito:

```python
# Example of implementing SSO with AWS Cognito
import boto3

# Initialize a session using your AWS credentials
session = boto3.Session(
aws_access_key_id='YOUR_KEY',
aws_secret_access_key='YOUR_SECRET',
region_name='YOUR_REGION'
# Initialize a Cognito Identity Provider client
client = boto3.client('cognito-idp')

# Replace 'USER_POOL_ID' and 'CLIENT_ID' with your actual IDs
response = client.initiate_auth(
ClientId='CLIENT_ID',
AuthFlow='USER_SRP_AUTH',
AuthParameters={
'USERNAME': 'example_username',
'PASSWORD': 'example_password'
}
)

# Create an SSO client
sso_client = session.client('sso')

# List the available SSO instances
instances = sso_client.list_instances()
print(instances)
print(response)
```
This code snippet initializes a session with AWS and creates an SSO client to list all SSO instances, demonstrating a practical **AWS SSO API** implementation.

## REST API SSO Authentication: A Practical Guide

When implementing SSO in a **REST API**, developers typically use OAuth2 or OpenID Connect protocols. Here’s a straightforward example using OAuth2 with Python’s requests library:

```python
import requests

# Define the endpoint and your access credentials
token_url = "https://your-auth-server.com/oauth/token"
client_id = 'your-client-id'
client_secret = 'your-client-secret'

# Request token
response = requests.post(token_url, data={
'grant_type': 'client_credentials',
'client_id': client_id,
'client_secret': client_secret
})

# Extract the token from the response
token = response.json().get('access_token')
```
This script requests an access token from an OAuth2 server, showcasing a practical **REST API SSO authentication** example.
This Python code snippet demonstrates how to authenticate a user using AWS Cognito, which can be integrated into an SSO system, making it a valuable **AWS SSO API** example.

## Single Sign-On API Development in JavaScript
## SSO Authentication in JavaScript Applications

Developing SSO in **JavaScript** often involves integrating with a third-party SSO provider like Auth0. Here’s how to set up a simple SSO using Auth0:
For those developing with JavaScript, here’s how to implement SSO using OpenID Connect:

```javascript
const { auth } = require('express-openid-connect');

const config = {
authRequired: false,
auth0Logout: true,
secret: 'a long, randomly-generated string stored in env',
baseURL: 'http://your-application.com',
clientID: 'your-client-id',
issuerBaseURL: 'https://your-domain.auth0.com'
};

app.use(auth(config));
// Example using OpenID Connect with a JavaScript application
const { Issuer } = require('openid-client');

async function ssoLogin() {
const googleIssuer = await Issuer.discover('https://accounts.google.com');
const client = new googleIssuer.Client({
client_id: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID',
client_secret: 'YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET',
redirect_uris: ['http://localhost/callback'],
response_types: ['code'],
});

const authorizationUrl = client.authorizationUrl({
scope: 'openid email profile',
});

console.log('Visit this URL to log in:', authorizationUrl);
}
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🛠️ Refactor suggestion

Add error handling and TypeScript support

The JavaScript example needs proper error handling and could benefit from TypeScript types.

+interface OAuthConfig {
+  client_id: string;
+  client_secret: string;
+  redirect_uris: string[];
+  response_types: string[];
+}

-async function ssoLogin() {
+async function ssoLogin(): Promise<string> {
+  try {
     const googleIssuer = await Issuer.discover('https://accounts.google.com');
     const client = new googleIssuer.Client({
       client_id: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID',
       client_secret: 'YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET',
       redirect_uris: ['http://localhost/callback'],
       response_types: ['code'],
-    });
+    } as OAuthConfig);

     const authorizationUrl = client.authorizationUrl({
       scope: 'openid email profile',
     });

-    console.log('Visit this URL to log in:', authorizationUrl);
+    return authorizationUrl;
+  } catch (error) {
+    console.error('Failed to initialize SSO:', error);
+    throw new Error('SSO initialization failed');
+  }
 }
📝 Committable suggestion

‼️ IMPORTANT
Carefully review the code before committing. Ensure that it accurately replaces the highlighted code, contains no missing lines, and has no issues with indentation. Thoroughly test & benchmark the code to ensure it meets the requirements.

Suggested change
async function ssoLogin() {
const googleIssuer = await Issuer.discover('https://accounts.google.com');
const client = new googleIssuer.Client({
client_id: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID',
client_secret: 'YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET',
redirect_uris: ['http://localhost/callback'],
response_types: ['code'],
});
const authorizationUrl = client.authorizationUrl({
scope: 'openid email profile',
});
console.log('Visit this URL to log in:', authorizationUrl);
}
interface OAuthConfig {
client_id: string;
client_secret: string;
redirect_uris: string[];
response_types: string[];
}
async function ssoLogin(): Promise<string> {
try {
const googleIssuer = await Issuer.discover('https://accounts.google.com');
const client = new googleIssuer.Client({
client_id: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID',
client_secret: 'YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET',
redirect_uris: ['http://localhost/callback'],
response_types: ['code'],
} as OAuthConfig);
const authorizationUrl = client.authorizationUrl({
scope: 'openid email profile',
});
return authorizationUrl;
} catch (error) {
console.error('Failed to initialize SSO:', error);
throw new Error('SSO initialization failed');
}
}


ssoLogin();
```
This code configures an Express.js application to use Auth0 for authentication, illustrating a **single sign-on API development in JavaScript**.

## Single Sign-On API Development in Python
This JavaScript snippet sets up a client with the OpenID Connect provider (Google) and generates an authorization URL to initiate the login process, serving as a **single sign on for API development JavaScript** example.

For Python developers, implementing SSO can be achieved using libraries such as Flask and Flask-Dance. Here’s a basic setup for Google login using Flask-Dance:
## SSO Authentication in Python Applications

For Python developers, here’s an example of integrating OAuth 2.0 for SSO in a Flask application:

```python
from flask import Flask, redirect, url_for
from flask_dance.contrib.google import make_google_blueprint, google
# Example using OAuth 2.0 with Flask and Authlib
from authlib.integrations.flask_client import OAuth

app = Flask(__name__)
app.secret_key = "supersekrit"
blueprint = make_google_blueprint(client_id="your-client-id", client_secret="your-client-secret")
app.register_blueprint(blueprint, url_prefix="/login")

@app.route("/")
def index():
if not google.authorized:
return redirect(url_for("google.login"))
resp = google.get("/oauth2/v1/userinfo")
assert resp.ok, resp.text
return "You are {email} on Google".format(email=resp.json()["email"])
oauth = OAuth(app)

google = oauth.register(
name='google',
client_id='YOUR_CLIENT_ID',
client_secret='YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET',
access_token_url='https://accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/token',
access_token_params=None,
authorize_url='https://accounts.google.com/o/oauth2/auth',
authorize_params=None,
api_base_url='https://www.googleapis.com/oauth2/v1/',
client_kwargs={'scope': 'openid email profile'},
)

@app.route('/login')
def login():
redirect_uri = url_for('authorize', _external=True)
return google.authorize_redirect(redirect_uri)

@app.route('/authorize')
def authorize():
token = google.authorize_access_token()
resp = google.get('userinfo')
user_info = resp.json()
# Use user_info for your application logic
return user_info

if __name__ == "__main__":
app.run()
app.run(debug=True)
```
This example sets up a Flask application with Google SSO, redirecting to Google's login if not already authenticated, providing a clear **single sign-on API development example in Python**.

By understanding and implementing these concepts, developers can effectively utilize **Single Sign-On (SSO)** to enhance user authentication across multiple applications, improving both security and user experience.
This Python code snippet illustrates how to integrate Google's OAuth 2.0 service into a Flask application for SSO, allowing users to authenticate using their Google credentials, making it a practical **single sign on for API development Python** example.

## Conclusion

In summary, Single Sign-On (SSO) is a powerful authentication method that streamlines user access across multiple applications while enhancing security. By implementing SSO in API development, developers can improve user experience, reduce security risks, and simplify credential management. Whether using AWS, JavaScript, or Python, integrating SSO can significantly benefit your applications.
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