IAM can be a tangled web of protocols, standards, and integrations. Managing identities across multiple systems while ensuring security and compliance is no small feat. Enter Ping Identity, a platform that aims to simplify and enhance identity management. In this post, we’ll explore Ping Identity’s features, use cases, product suite, and how it stacks up against other IAM solutions.

The Problem: Fragmented Identity Management

Before diving into Ping Identity, let’s acknowledge the problem it solves. Modern applications often require users to authenticate across different systems—on-premises, cloud-based, mobile, and web. Managing these identities manually is cumbersome and error-prone. Moreover, ensuring security and compliance with regulations like GDPR and CCPA adds another layer of complexity. This is where IAM platforms like Ping Identity come in, providing a unified approach to identity management.

Key Features of Ping Identity

Ping Identity offers a robust set of features that cater to the diverse needs of modern organizations. Let’s dive into some of the standout capabilities.

Centralized Identity Management

Centralizing identity management means having a single source of truth for all user identities. With Ping Identity, you can manage user profiles, roles, and permissions from one place. This reduces redundancy and ensures consistency across your systems.

# Example of a simple user profile in PingFederate
userProfile:
  username: jdoe
  email: [email protected]
  roles:
    - admin
    - developer

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Security is paramount, and MFA is a critical component. Ping Identity supports various MFA methods, including SMS, email, hardware tokens, and biometrics. Setting up MFA is straightforward and customizable to fit your organization’s needs.

# Enabling MFA in PingOne
curl -X POST \
  https://api.pingone.com/v1/environments/{environmentId}/mfaPolicies \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer {accessToken}' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "name": "Default MFA Policy",
    "factors": [
      {
        "factorType": "SMS_OTP"
      }
    ]
  }'

Single Sign-On (SSO)

SSO allows users to log in once and gain access to multiple applications without re-authenticating. Ping Identity supports SSO for both web and mobile applications, streamlining the user experience.

<!-- Example SAML configuration in PingFederate -->
<saml:SPSSODescriptor>
  <saml:SingleSignOnService Binding="urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:2.0:bindings:HTTP-Redirect"
                            Location="https://example.com/sso"/>
</saml:SPSSODescriptor>

Adaptive Authentication

Adaptive authentication uses risk-based analysis to determine the level of authentication required based on user behavior and context. This enhances security without compromising usability.

// Example adaptive authentication policy in PingOne
{
  "name": "High-Risk Policy",
  "conditions": [
    {
      "type": "geoLocation",
      "value": "outsideCountry"
    }
  ],
  "actions": [
    {
      "type": "requireMFA"
    }
  ]
}

API Security

APIs are the backbone of modern applications, and securing them is crucial. Ping Identity provides tools for API management, including authentication, authorization, and monitoring.

# Securing an API endpoint with OAuth 2.0 in PingOne
POST /as/token.oauth2 HTTP/1.1
Host: example.com
Authorization: Basic {base64EncodedClientIdAndSecret}
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded

grant_type=client_credentials&scope=read write

Common Use Cases

Ping Identity’s versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of use cases. Here are some common scenarios where Ping Identity excels.

On-Premises and Hybrid Environments

Many organizations have a mix of on-premises and cloud-based systems. Ping Identity can bridge these environments, providing seamless identity management across different infrastructures.

Cloud-Native Applications

For organizations moving to the cloud, Ping Identity offers native support for cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. It integrates smoothly with popular cloud services and supports modern authentication protocols.

Mobile Applications

Securing mobile apps is critical due to the increased attack surface. Ping Identity provides SDKs and APIs for mobile platforms, enabling secure authentication and data protection.

Regulatory Compliance

Compliance with regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA is essential for many industries. Ping Identity includes features that help organizations meet these requirements, such as data encryption, audit logging, and consent management.

Product Suite Overview

Ping Identity’s product suite is comprehensive, covering various aspects of identity management. Here’s a brief overview of the key products.

PingOne

PingOne is a cloud-based IAM solution that provides identity governance, access management, and API security. It’s designed for organizations looking for a fully managed service with minimal setup and maintenance.

# Creating a new application in PingOne using the API
curl -X POST \
  https://api.pingone.com/v1/environments/{environmentId}/applications \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer {accessToken}' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "name": "MyApp",
    "enabled": true,
    "protocol": "OPENID_CONNECT"
  }'

PingFederate

PingFederate is an on-premises IAM solution that focuses on SSO and API security. It’s highly customizable and supports a wide range of protocols and standards.

<!-- Configuring SAML metadata in PingFederate -->
<saml:EntityDescriptor xmlns:saml="urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:2.0:metadata">
  <saml:SPSSODescriptor protocolSupportEnumeration="urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:2.0:protocol">
    <saml:AssertionConsumerService Binding="urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:2.0:bindings:HTTP-POST"
                                   Location="https://example.com/saml/consumer"
                                   index="0"
                                   isDefault="true"/>
  </saml:SPSSODescriptor>
</saml:EntityDescriptor>

PingAccess

PingAccess is a reverse proxy that provides secure access to web and mobile applications. It supports SSO, MFA, and API security, making it a versatile tool for protecting applications.

# Configuring a new application in PingAccess
curl -X POST \
  https://pingaccess.example.com/pa-admin-api/v3/applications \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic {base64EncodedUsernameAndPassword}' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "name": "MyWebApp",
    "agentType": "WEB_SERVER",
    "authType": "SAML"
  }'

PingDataGovernance

PingDataGovernance helps organizations manage and protect sensitive data. It includes features like data discovery, classification, and masking, ensuring compliance and security.

-- Example SQL query for data discovery in PingDataGovernance
SELECT * FROM sensitive_data WHERE category = 'PII';

Comparison with Other IAM Platforms

When choosing an IAM platform, it’s essential to compare options based on features, pricing, and integration capabilities. Here’s how Ping Identity stacks up against some popular alternatives.

Okta

Okta is a widely-used IAM platform known for its ease of use and strong integration with SaaS applications. It offers features like SSO, MFA, and API security, similar to Ping Identity.

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface
  • Strong SaaS integration
  • Good community support

Cons:

  • Higher costs for large enterprises
  • Less customization options compared to Ping Identity

Auth0

Auth0 is a leading provider of authentication and authorization services. It focuses on developer-friendly tools and supports a wide range of applications and protocols.

Pros:

  • Developer-centric approach
  • Extensive documentation and tutorials
  • Flexible pricing models

Cons:

  • Limited on-premises support
  • Steeper learning curve for non-developers

ForgeRock

ForgeRock is an open-source IAM platform that offers a comprehensive set of features, including SSO, MFA, and API security. It’s highly customizable and supports both on-premises and cloud deployments.

Pros:

  • Open-source and highly customizable
  • Strong support for on-premises deployments
  • Extensive feature set

Cons:

  • Steeper learning curve
  • Requires more maintenance effort
  • Smaller community compared to commercial platforms

Key Differences

Feature Ping Identity Okta Auth0 ForgeRock
Deployment Options Cloud/on-premises Cloud Cloud Cloud/on-premises
Customization High Moderate Low High
Integration Capabilities Wide Strong SaaS Extensive Wide
Pricing Competitive Tiered Flexible Open-source
Community Support Good Excellent Excellent Moderate

Real-World Examples

Let’s look at some real-world examples of how organizations have benefited from using Ping Identity.

Case Study: Healthcare Provider

A healthcare provider needed to secure access to patient records and comply with HIPAA regulations. They chose Ping Identity for its robust API security and compliance features. By implementing PingOne, they were able to streamline user authentication and ensure data protection.

Case Study: Financial Services Company

A financial services company required a scalable IAM solution to support their growing number of applications and users. They opted for PingFederate due to its flexibility and support for multiple protocols. This allowed them to integrate seamlessly with existing systems and enhance security.

Case Study: E-commerce Platform

An e-commerce platform wanted to improve user experience by implementing SSO across their web and mobile applications. They selected PingAccess for its reverse proxy capabilities and easy setup. This reduced login friction and improved customer satisfaction.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with a powerful platform like Ping Identity, issues can arise. Here are some common problems and their solutions.

Error: Invalid Client Secret

Issue: When trying to authenticate, you receive an “Invalid Client Secret” error.

Solution: Ensure that the client secret is correct and has not expired. Also, verify that it is stored securely and not exposed in your code or version control.

# Correct way to store client secrets
export CLIENT_SECRET=your_secret_here

Error: MFA Configuration Failed

Issue: MFA setup fails with a “Configuration Failed” error.

Solution: Check that the MFA provider is correctly configured and that there are no network issues preventing communication. Also, ensure that the user has the necessary permissions to enable MFA.

// Correct MFA configuration in PingOne
{
  "name": "SMS MFA",
  "factors": [
    {
      "factorType": "SMS_OTP",
      "provider": "Twilio"
    }
  ]
}

Error: API Call Timed Out

Issue: API calls to Ping Identity services time out.

Solution: Verify that your network connection is stable and that there are no firewall rules blocking traffic to Ping Identity endpoints. Also, check that your API requests are optimized and not exceeding rate limits.

# Optimized API request
GET /users?limit=100 HTTP/1.1
Host: api.pingone.com
Authorization: Bearer {accessToken}

Best Practices for Using Ping Identity

Implementing Ping Identity effectively requires adherence to best practices. Here are some tips to get the most out of the platform.

Secure Your Client Secrets

Client secrets are critical for authentication and should be treated as sensitive information. Store them securely, rotate them regularly, and never expose them in your code or version control.

# Securely storing client secrets in environment variables
export CLIENT_SECRET=$(openssl rand -hex 32)

Implement Strong Access Controls

Ensure that only authorized personnel have access to Ping Identity configurations and user data. Use role-based access control (RBAC) to enforce least privilege principles.

// Example RBAC policy in PingOne
{
  "name": "Admin Policy",
  "subjects": [
    {
      "subjectType": "USER",
      "id": "admin_user_id"
    }
  ],
  "resources": [
    {
      "resourceType": "APPLICATION",
      "id": "app_id"
    }
  ],
  "actions": [
    "READ",
    "WRITE"
  ]
}

Monitor and Audit Activity

Regularly monitor and audit activity in Ping Identity to detect and respond to suspicious behavior. Enable audit logging and review logs periodically to ensure compliance and security.

# Enabling audit logging in PingOne
curl -X POST \
  https://api.pingone.com/v1/environments/{environmentId}/auditLogs \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer {accessToken}' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
    "enabled": true,
    "retentionPeriod": 90
  }'

Stay Updated

IAM is an ever-evolving field, and staying updated with the latest developments is crucial. Keep abreast of new features, security patches, and best practices by following Ping Identity’s official documentation and community forums.

Conclusion

Ping Identity is a powerful IAM platform that addresses the challenges of modern identity management. Its comprehensive feature set, flexible deployment options, and strong security capabilities make it a compelling choice for organizations of all sizes. Whether you’re managing on-premises systems, cloud-native applications, or hybrid environments, Ping Identity provides the tools you need to secure and govern identities efficiently.

That’s it. Simple, secure, works. Go implement it and see the difference for yourself.