Top IDaaS Solutions & Tips on Implementation
In our tech-centric era, keeping digital identities secure is a top priority for any organization. Building on our earlier discussion, "What Is IDaaS? Ultimate Guide to Identity as a Service, this article dives deeper into the world of Identity as a Service (IDaaS) providers.
We’ll explore the best practices for rolling out IDaaS solutions, the key things to look for when choosing the right vendor, and a breakdown of the top IDaaS options for 2024.
Best Practices for IDaaS Implementation
Implementing IDaaS solutions can streamline identity management, enhance security, and simplify user access across various applications. Here are some best practices to ensure a smooth and effective IDaaS deployment:
1. Assess Your Needs: Understand your organization’s requirements—including user numbers, application types, and security levels—to tailor the IDaaS solution to your specific needs.
2. Data Security and Compliance: Ensure the provider complies with standards and regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA with robust encryption and data protection measures.
3. User Experience: Choose solutions that offer a seamless, intuitive experience; features like Single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) should be easy to use without compromising security.
4. Integration Capabilities: Select an IDaaS solution that integrates well with your existing IT infrastructure, including cloud services, on‑premises systems, and third‑party applications.
5. Scalability: As your business grows, ensure your IDaaS solution can handle more users and increased security demands without performance issues.
6. Vendor Support and SLAs: Reliable customer support and clear Service Level Agreements are essential for timely assistance and maintaining high performance.
What Should You Look Out for in an IDaaS Vendor?
IDaaS solutions typically use a subscription‑based pricing model that covers ongoing platform maintenance, unlike traditional systems with hefty initial licensing fees and continual upkeep costs. Key factors include:
Security Features: Look for comprehensive features like MFA, SSO, PAM, and modern authentication standards such as FIDO U2F and FIDO2 to protect against phishing and credential theft.
Integration and Compatibility: Ensure the solution works seamlessly with your current IT ecosystem.
Scalability: Verify that the vendor can support your growth and increasing security demands.
User Experience: A good solution enhances usability with intuitive interfaces and efficient self‑service options.
Customer Support: Strong support and clear SLAs guarantee timely help and consistent service availability.
Comparing IDaaS Solutions
Selecting the right solution means understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each provider. Below is a brief comparison:
Microsoft Entra ID (former Azure AD)
Features: Operates on top of Microsoft Active Directory, offering SSO, MFA, conditional access policies, and advanced tools like Privileged Identity Management and Identity Protection.
Scalability: Scales effortlessly with Microsoft’s global infrastructure.
Security: Provides top-tier security with advanced threat protection and compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA.
Integration: Syncs with on‑premises AD and integrates with many third‑party apps.
Pricing: Premium P1 at $6/user/month and Premium P2 at $9/user/month, with a free limited version available.
Okta Identity Cloud
Features: Excels in user management, SSO, MFA, and adaptive authentication with advanced features like passwordless passkeys and mobile driver’s licenses.
Scalability: Built for high scalability across all organization sizes.
Security: Emphasizes real‑time threat insights and supports FIDO‑based passkeys for phishing resistance.
Integration: Offers extensive integration, including support for SCIM for automated provisioning.
Pricing: Varies by package; for example, MFA at $3/user/month, Adaptive SSO at $5/user/month, and Adaptive MFA at $6/user/month.
Hideez Workforce Identity
Features: Combines SSO and MFA with passwordless technologies like passkeys and biometric credentials.
Scalability: Ideal for small businesses and startups (up to 50 users) with options for larger deployments.
Security: Uses advanced encryption and complies with FIDO standards to protect against phishing.
Integration: Integrates with various systems, including legacy and web services.
Pricing: Identity Cloud is free up to 50 users, $2/user/month for additional users; Private Cloud is $6/user/month or $60/year; on‑premises is similarly priced.
Ping Identity
Features: Offers advanced SSO, MFA, API security, adaptive MFA, and LDAP integration.
Scalability: Supports large-scale applications managing millions of identities.
Security: Emphasizes data protection with robust compliance and encryption standards.
Integration: Adapts to various environments including hybrid and multi‑cloud deployments.
Pricing: Varies; for PingOne, tiers range from essential options to premium, with pricing provided on request.
Auth0 by Okta
Features: Provides flexible identity management with customizable SSO, MFA, and supports advanced features like passwordless authentication and machine‑to‑machine tokens.
Scalability: Scales from startups to large enterprises, supporting multiple tenants under one subscription.
Security: Offers robust security including attack protection and enterprise‑grade MFA.
Integration: Features extensive integration capabilities with APIs for customization.
Pricing: Starts at $23/month for 1,000 external active users for the Essentials plan; Professional is $240/month for 1,000 users, with custom options for larger deployments.
OneLogin
Features: Delivers reliable SSO, MFA, and user provisioning along with adaptive authentication and biometric integrations.
Scalability: Offers scalable solutions and testing sandboxes for new configurations.
Security: Provides multiple MFA options including biometric and security questions.
Integration: Integrates with numerous applications and directory services such as G Suite and Workday.
Pricing: Starter plan begins at $2/user/month; Advanced features are available at $4/user/month with custom pricing for larger enterprises.
What Is the Future of IDaaS?
The landscape is rapidly evolving with a shift toward more secure, user-friendly, and passwordless authentication methods—especially those based on Fast Identity Online (FIDO) standards. Passwordless authentication enhances security by eliminating weak password vulnerabilities, while standards from The FIDO Alliance promote stronger, device‑based credential storage. Vendors like Microsoft, Okta, Hideez, and Ping Identity are already offering these options. Free trials are an excellent way to evaluate which solution best meets your organization’s needs.
