Salesforce SSO

Salesforce Single Sign-On

SSO stands for Single Sign-On, a method of authentication that allows a user to access multiple applications or services with a single set of login credentials (such as a username and password). The primary goal of SSO is to simplify the user experience and reduce the need for users to remember multiple usernames and passwords for different systems.identity/service provider

Here we will be discussing Salesforce as a Service provider.

Salesforce supports various SSO protocols, including:

1. SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language): This is one of the most commonly used protocols for SSO. With SAML SSO, Salesforce acts as the service provider (SP), while an external identity provider (IdP), such as Microsoft Azure AD, Okta, or Ping Identity, authenticates users. Once authenticated, the IdP generates a SAML assertion, which Salesforce validates to grant access.
2. OAuth: OAuth is another protocol supported by Salesforce for SSO. It’s commonly used for integrating third-party applications with Salesforce, allowing users to authorize access to their Salesforce data without revealing their credentials.
3. OpenID Connect: This protocol builds on top of OAuth 2.0 and provides authentication functionality. Salesforce supports OpenID Connect for SSO scenarios where identity providers support this protocol.

Configuring Salesforce Single Sign-On (SSO) with SAML involves several steps. Here’s a general guide to help you set up Salesforce SSO using the Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML).

1. Log in to Salesforce:
   Access your Salesforce instance and log in with an account that has administrative privileges.
2. Navigate to Single Sign-On Settings
   In the Salesforce setup menu, go to “Setup.”
   In the Quick Find box, type “Single Sign-On Settings” and select it.
3. Enable SAML: Check the “SAML Enabled” checkbox to enable SAML-based SSO in Salesforce.
4. Configure SAML settings
   A. Once SAML is enabled, you’ll see a section for SAML Single Sign-On Settings. Click on “New SAML Single Sign-On Setting.”
   B. Fill in the necessary details, including the “Name” for your SAML configuration, the “Issuer,” and the “Entity ID.” The “Entity ID” is often provided by your identity provider (IdP).
   C. Set the “Identity Provider Login URL” and “Identity Provider Logout URL,” if applicable.
   D. Upload the IdP’s signing certificate.
5. Specify the SAML Identity Type
   Choose the appropriate SAML identity type for your organization. This can be either “Federation ID” or “User’s Salesforce username.”
6. Map SAML attributes to Salesforce fields: Map the SAML attributes provided by your IdP to corresponding Salesforce user fields (e.g., name, email).
7. Choose SAML Version: Select the SAML version that your IdP supports. Salesforce supports SAML 2.0.
8. Save the Configuration: Save the SAML Single Sign-On settings.
9. Download Salesforce Metadata: Download the Salesforce metadata by clicking on the “Download Metadata” button. This metadata file is often used to configure the IdP.
10. Configure Identity Provider (IdP): Use the downloaded metadata or manually input the Salesforce details into your IdP. This involves setting up an application or service for Salesforce within your IdP and providing the necessary details, including the Entity ID, ACS URL, and metadata.
11. Enable SSO for Users: Optionally, enable SSO for specific users or profiles in Salesforce by editing their user details and selecting the appropriate SAML configuration.

Test SAML

1. Access SAML Validator:
   Scroll down to the “SAML Login Information” section.
   In this section, you will find a link labeled “SAML Validator.” Click on this link to open the SAML Validator tool.
2. Input SAML Assertion:
   In the SAML Validator tool, you will see a text area where you can input the SAML assertion XML. This is typically provided by your Identity Provider (IdP) ort you can install the plugin in your browser and try to log in, This plugin will give the request and response in XML.
   Paste the SAML assertion into this text area.
3. Run Validation: Click the “Validate” button to initiate the validation process.

Various Identity Providers (IDPs) exist, each offering unique features, protocols, and capabilities for Single Sign-On (SSO) and user authentication. Here are some of the different IDP providers commonly used in the industry

1. Okta
2. Azure Active Directory (Azure AD)
3. Ping Identity
4. OneLogin
5. Google Identity Platform
6. Salesforce Identity
7. AWS SSO