Author: Sanjay Selvaraj

Okta Custom Login URL and Branding 

Posted on by Sanjay Selvaraj in Okta
  • Introduction
  • Problem Statement
  • Solution
  • Usecase Overview
  • Technical Demonstration
  • Conclusion
  • Reference Links

Introduction

In today’s enterprise environment, providing a seamless and branded login experience is essential for user engagement, security, and brand identity. Companies using Okta for identity management often seek to customize their login portals to cater to different user such as employees, contractors, and partners. A custom login page not only enhances the user experience but also reinforces the company’s branding and can improve security by providing distinct, role-specific access points. 

This blog describes how to set up personalized login URLs and pages for employees and contractors/partners, enabling each user to enjoy a customized login experience while utilizing Okta’s identity management features.

Problem Statement 

Organizations typically have a diverse set of users, including employees, contractors, and business partners. These users may need to access different resources, apps, and tools, but they may also have different access control policies and security requirements. The need for custom login experiences arises from the following challenges: 

  • Brand Consistency: The login experience should reflect the company’s branding and visual identity. 
  • Role-based Customization: Different users (employees, contractors, partners) may have different access levels and login requirements. 
  • User Segmentation: Having a single login page can be confusing for users from different groups who may have different authentication mechanisms or access privileges. 
  • Security and Compliance: Separate login pages can help implement role-based security policies more effectively. 

Solution 

To address the problem, we propose the following solution using Okta’s customization features: 

Custom Logon URLs and Pages for Different Users 

  • Employee Login Page: A custom URL like https://employeelogin.company.com will serve employees, presenting the company’s branding and specific employee-related apps. 
  • Okta Customization: Okta provides options to customize the login page through its “Okta Sign-In Widget” and “Custom Sign-In Pages.” These tools allow for integrating branding elements (e.g., logos, colors), different authentication methods (e.g., MFA), and a dynamic user flow tailored to each user group. 

Usecase Overview:

Check out the presentation below to explore how to configure a Custom Domain in Okta, including the benefits of custom branding and DNS configurations for a seamless user experience.

Technical Demonstration:

Check out the demo below to see how to configure a Custom Domain in Okta, customize the sign-in page, and apply DNS configurations for a fully branded and secure Okta experience.

            Conclusion 

            Customizing the Okta login experience for different users like employees, contractors, and partners helps enhance security, improve user experience, and maintain consistent branding. By using Okta’s flexibility in customizing login URLs and pages, along with role-based access control, organizations can ensure that each group has the appropriate level of access while maintaining a branded, user-friendly login process. 

            Reference Links

            Custom Domains & Branding | Okta 

            Use an Okta-managed certificate

            Use your own TLS certificate

            Integrating Active Directory with Okta’s Universal Directory

            Posted on by Sanjay Selvaraj in Okta
            • Introduction
            • Understanding Okta Universal Directory
            • Key Features of Okta Universal Directory
            • Prerequisites
            • Usecase Overview
            • Technical Demonstration – Integration flow
            • Conclusion
            • Reference Links

            Introduction

            Active Directory (AD), a directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks, is primarily used for authentication and authorization, helping organizations manage user access to resources. However, as organizations increasingly adopt cloud-based applications, managing user access across disparate directories has become a challenge for traditional Active Directory (AD)/LDAP systems. Each cloud service often introduces its own user store, leading to a proliferation of login credentials and making it difficult to maintain consistent, secure access control.

            This complexity can result in administrative headaches, such as trouble deactivating user accounts when employees leave and a lack of visibility into resource access. To address these issues, many companies turn to Okta, an identity management platform that integrates seamlessly with Active Directory, bridging the gap between on-premises and cloud environments. By using Okta, organizations can continue to leverage their existing AD or LDAP services for user authentication while centralizing User Lifecycle Management, providing a unified dashboard for administrators to ensure consistent, secure access control across all systems.

            Understanding Okta Universal Directory 

            Okta Universal Directory is a centralized platform designed for managing user identities from various sources. As a core component of the Okta Identity Cloud, Universal Directory provides a centralized view of all users and their respective attributes, making it easier for IT teams to oversee and manage user data. This product enables organizations to maintain a unified profile for a user, no matter where their data comes from. This capability is especially advantageous for enterprises with multiple user directories, as it simplifies user management and bolsters security. 

            Key Features of Okta Universal Directory 

            • Centralized User Management: Universal Directory allows you to manage all your user identities in one place. This means that whether your users are employees, partners, or customers, you can easily create, modify, or deactivate their accounts without jumping between different platforms. 
            • Integration with Multiple Sources: It allows integration with various identity sources, including Active Directory (AD), LDAP, and HR systems like Workday. This flexibility ensures that organizations can consolidate user information from different platforms seamlessly. 
            • Customizable User Profiles: Universal Directory supports both Okta user profiles and app-specific user profiles. This capability allows organizations to define and manage user attributes tailored to their applications, ensuring that each app only accesses the data it needs. 
            • Customizable User Attributes: With Universal Directory, you can customize user attributes to fit your organization’s unique needs. This flexibility enables you to collect and store specific information relevant to your users, such as job titles, department details, or location data. 
            • Real-Time Synchronization: Changes made in AD, such as user updates or account deactivations, are synchronized in real-time with Okta. This ensures that terminated employees lose access immediately, enhancing security and compliance. 
            • Delegated Authentication: The integration allows for delegated authentication, meaning that users can authenticate against AD without needing direct access to the AD environment. This feature simplifies the authentication process while maintaining security. 

            Prerequisites

            Okta Tenant: 

            • You must possess an account with Super Admin role privileges. 

            On-Premises Active Directory: 

            • The host server should have at least two CPUs and a minimum of 8 GB RAM.  
            • Host server running Windows server 2016 & above.  
            • .NET framework 4.6.2 and above.  
            • The host server should be a member server part of the same domain.  
            • Okta agent installation wizard should be executed from the host server.  
            • An account with Domain administrator privileges for domain discovery & AD agent application installation in the host server.  
            • Delegated Authentication – Enables the users to use their AD credentials to access Okta & downstream applications. This feature is enabled by default.

            Usecase Overview:

            Check out the video below to explore Okta’s Universal Directory and how it works with Active Directory integration. Along with that, benefits of Universal Directory & the integration flow.

            Technical Demonstration – Integration flow:

            Here’s a technical demonstration, a step-by-step approach explaining the integration between Active Directory and Okta.

            Conclusion 

            Integrating Active Directory with Okta not only streamlines identity management but also enhances security and user experience. With Okta’s Universal Directory, organizations can manage user identities more effectively, ensuring that they are well-equipped to handle the demands of a cloud-first world. This integration empowers IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives rather than being bogged down by the complexities of traditional identity management systems. 

            Reference Links

            Active Directory Integration | Okta Docs

            User Management | Okta Docs