This podcast explores the success and importance of OpenID Connect, discussing its origins, wide usage, and innovation. It also discusses the evolution of identity and how OpenID disrupted the enterprise-focused model. The podcast delves into the development of OpenID Connect, emphasizing simplicity and security. It also explores the establishment of the OpenID Foundation and its role in creating a safe intellectual property regime. Additionally, it examines the concept of EKYC and the role of OpenID Connect in identity assurance.
OpenID Connect is a widely adopted protocol that adds an identity layer on top of OAuth, allowing authentication and retrieval of user attributes.
OpenID Connect has gained widespread adoption across various platforms and services, making it a popular choice among developers.
Deep dives
Overview of OpenID Connect
OpenID Connect is a widely adopted protocol that adds an identity layer on top of OAuth. It allows authentication by providing an ID token, which contains claims about the user's identity. The protocol also enables the retrieval of user attributes through the user info endpoint using an access token. OpenID Connect offers flexibility in application topologies, making it adaptable for web, API, and mobile app scenarios.
Evolution of OpenID Connect
OpenID Connect emerged as a successor to OpenID 2.0 and aimed to modernize identity on the internet. It addressed limitations of the previous protocol, such as using URLs as user identities, which was not user-friendly. OpenID Connect leveraged OAuth, JSON, and REST to create a simpler and more usable social login protocol. The protocol uses ID tokens and access tokens to provide authentication and retrieve user attributes, respectively. It continues to evolve with new features, such as verifiable credentials and support for large-scale federations.
Wide Adoption of OpenID Connect
OpenID Connect has gained widespread adoption across various platforms and services. Tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Apple, Salesforce, and Yahoo Japan employ OpenID Connect for user authentication. More than 95% of apps using Microsoft for login rely on OpenID Connect. Its flexibility, ease of use, and interoperability make it a popular choice among developers. OpenID Connect is supported by a vast ecosystem of open-source libraries and maintains a certification program for ensuring interopability.
Call to Action
For developers and system administrators, consider integrating OpenID Connect for improved user authentication and attribute retrieval. Evaluate if OpenID Connect aligns with your application's needs. Join the OpenID Foundation and its working groups to contribute and shape the future developments of the protocol. Emphasize the value and benefits of OpenID Connect within your organizations and take advantage of the resources and support available from the OpenID community.