Identity & Access Management: Boost Your Google Security!

Understanding key concepts in Identity & Access Management

Identity & Access Management (IAM) plays a crucial role in securing user access and protecting data. When discussing secure IAM, it is important to understand three main concepts: identity, authorisation, and authentication.

Identity (who are you?): This involves having a clear and unique identity. It confirms who or what a person or entity is.

Authorisation (prove it is, in fact, you): This typically involves roles-based access control. It defines what operations an entity can perform. Authorisation enforces security policies within specific applications.

Authentication (who can access what): This verifies that an entity is who it claims to be. Common methods include single sign-on (SSO) and multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Refer to the image below for a detailed comparison of these key IAM concepts.

Identity(who are you?):	Authorisation (prove it is, in fact,  you):	Authentication (who can access what)
Having a clear and unique identity tied to a single person/ the fact of being who or what a person or thing is.	Typically roles-based access control that defines what operations an entity can perform in the context of a specific application and flexible security policies with enforcement	Verification that an entity is who/what it claims to be using: Single sign-on; Multi-factor authentication

Using a third-party identity provider (IdP) to assist with these together with Google Workspace can provide additional security and flexibility for managing user access to the platform, as depicted below.

Using a third-party identity provider with Google Workspace

Integrating a third-party identity provider (IdP) with Google Workspace adds an extra layer of security. It also streamlines user access management. An IdP manages user authentication and authorisation for multiple services. This centralised management saves time and resources for IT teams. Additionally, it enhances security.

Many IdPs, including Okta, OneLogin, and Azure Active Directory, integrate with Google Workspace. They use the Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) protocol. This makes integration smoother and more effective.

How third-party IdP integration works

By integrating with a third-party IdP, users access Google Workspace using existing credentials. This reduces the number of passwords users need to remember. It simplifies their access to the platform, following the SSO concept.

To set up a third-party IdP in Google Workspace, you need:

• Sign-in page URL: Also known as the SSO URL or SAML 2.0 Endpoint (HTTP). This is where users log in.
• Sign-out page URL (optional): This is where users land after signing out of Google Workspace.
• Certificate: An X.509 PEM certificate from the IdP.
• Change password URL (optional): A page where SSO users change their passwords outside Google.

You can find more information here & a list of out-of-the-box supported apps here.

See the image below for different IdP integration options with Google Workspace.

Enhancing security with third-party IdPs

Integrating an IdP significantly boosts security. IT teams can enable MFA and other security features. This ensures only authorised users access Google Workspace and connected applications. Organisations can use security features from both the IdP and Google Workspace.

The SSO feature benefits all connected applications. It creates a seamless and consistent authentication process across services.

Key considerations when choosing a third-party IdP

Before choosing an IdP, evaluate its support for Google Workspace integration. Not all IdPs offer the same integration quality. IT teams should also consider the costs and scalability of the IdP. Additionally, review features like password management and user provisioning.

Refer to the image above for a comparison of different IdP integration levels.

Elevating Identity & Access Management with Zero Trust

For advanced IAM, organisations should implement Conditional Aware Access. This helps build a Zero Trust environment, as detailed in Google’s BeyondCorp solution.

Starting with BeyondCorp Essentials, you can apply Zero Trust to your Google Workspace environment. For broader coverage, BeyondCorp Enterprise supports integration with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) resources.

Using third-party IdPs with Zero Trust principles enhances security, scalability, and flexibility. This makes managing user access more effective and future-proof.