Passwordless Authentication eliminates traditional passwords, enhancing security and user experience through biometrics, security tokens, magic links, and passkeys. Instead of relying on passwords, authentication is based on fingerprint scans, facial recognition, hardware tokens, or one-time codes. Key benefits include phishing resistance, reduced IT costs, and improved access security, though challenges include implementation complexity and device…
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is an access management model that assigns permissions to users based on their roles within an organization. Instead of granting permissions directly to users, RBAC groups them into roles, ensuring efficient and scalable access control. Key elements include roles (e.g., admin, manager, user), role mapping (assigning users to roles), composite roles…
Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is an XML-based authentication protocol enabling Single Sign-On (SSO) by securely exchanging identity data between an Identity Provider (IdP) and a Service Provider (SP). It allows users to log in once and access multiple applications. SAML Assertions contain authentication and authorization details, which SPs use to grant or deny access….
Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication mechanism that allows users to access multiple applications with a single login. It improves security and user experience by centralizing authentication and reducing password fatigue. SSO supports various protocols, including OIDC, OAuth 2.0, and SAML, enabling seamless integration across platforms. Keycloak provides robust SSO capabilities, supporting federated identity, multi-factor…
Time-Based One-Time Passwords (TOTP) are temporary, one-time passwords generated using a shared secret and current time. Used in multi-factor authentication (MFA), TOTP enhances security by expiring within a short time window, reducing risks like credential theft and replay attacks. In Keycloak, TOTP can be configured as an additional authentication step, integrating with apps like Google…
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is a security method requiring two authentication factors: something you know (password, PIN), something you have (smartphone, token), or something you are (fingerprint, face ID). It strengthens security by adding an extra layer beyond passwords. Common methods include SMS/email codes, authenticator apps, hardware tokens, and biometrics. While 2FA uses exactly two factors,…
User federation allows Keycloak to connect with external user databases and credential repositories, enabling authentication without data migration. It supports LDAP, Active Directory, and custom databases via SPI. Users can be imported or validated in real-time, with attributes mapped to Keycloak’s model. Keycloak also integrates caching to enhance performance and supports SSO, IAM, and identity…
User-Based Access Control (UBAC) is an access management model that grants or denies permissions directly to individual users rather than roles or groups. Unlike RBAC, where permissions are assigned based on roles, UBAC applies policies that specify access for specific users. Key elements include direct permission assignment, user-based policies, and identity verification. UBAC enables fine-grained…
WebAuthn is a web authentication standard that enables passwordless login using public key cryptography. The private key is securely stored on the user’s device or authenticator, while the public key is registered on the server. Keycloak supports WebAuthn for both passwordless authentication and two-factor authentication (2FA). It enhances security by preventing phishing and credential theft…
Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no user, device, or application should be trusted by default, regardless of location. Every access request requires continuous verification. Key principles include “Never trust, always verify”, least privilege access, continuous monitoring, and identity verification. Security mechanisms include IAM, MFA, microsegmentation, encryption, and endpoint protection. Zero Trust aligns…