Aberdeen Broadcast Services worked with Iron Cove Solutions to integrate and adopt Okta Identity Management for their cloud driven organization. The goal of the project was to introduce Single Sign-On (SSO), simplify user lifecycle management and adopt multi-factor authentication. Aberdeen seaked a seamless as possible rollout of Okta through Iron Cove's consulting services.
Challenges
The existing user creation process required coordination of several teams approving sets of various apps needed for each specific user role. The local user directory environment kept them from continuing their total shift to Software as a Service (SaaS) apps and the mapping of user data to these systems. User application security for access was nonexistent and needed to be integrated for both company managed and personal devices with users working within various roles and locations.
Project Scope and Tasks
- The project consisted of a full Okta onboarding and integration of business critical applications; including high-availability and people management services;
- A move away from existing directory services to Okta owning user profiles and security accesss;
- Development of a corporate sign-on policy structure;
- Overview of Multi-factor Authentication relating to the various user roles within the organization;
- Pre-configuration documentation on user and service impact before swithing on Okta services;
Project Delivery Team
Iron Cove provided a Project Manager to guide the implementation of Okta for internal users; Our project managers are Six Sigma certified. The Six Sigma methodology is driven by the implementation of a measurement-based strategy that focuses on process improvement and validation of service integration.
The project was delivered through a Okta Administrator Certified Cloud Engineer providing consulting guidance, implementation, training, and review of best practices.
Increased Security
With the introduction of two-factor authentication (2FA) and a centralized administrative platform the Aberdeen team could control the way users securely access their applications.
__Improving user management and go-live __ Utilizing Okta's enhanced lifecycle management Aberdeen's admins could deploy baseline applications through simple user creation and team assignment. Updates and edits were quicker to apply reducing the time it took for these changes to show across various apps. For each configured application the team leveraged Universal Directory and attribute mapping.
Multi-factor authentication
Deployment of Okta's various supported factors was simple and easy to adopt. Users validation was simple to adopt through Okta Verify, Okta's own multi-factor supported app and enabling of push notifications for mobile devices.
Recap
After performing a discovery of the current user creation process and enablement; we understood how each process would benefit from a switch to Okta. Identity management had to be protected through multi-factor authentication and require user verification before gaining access to cloud enabled services.
The user onboarding process time was significantly reduced, and management required changes could be managed through a single portal on Okta.
Besides simplifying it’s SSO solution, the specific objectives of this project include:
- Review and readiness for user creation and application integration
- Administrative overview and best practicies for Okta as a Master
- Sandbox testing and validation of user profile mapping
- End user onboarding recommendations and assistance
Project Hours
| Consulting | Time or Apps |
|---|---|
| Okta Readiness | 8 Hours |
| Administrative Training | 12 Hours |
| Authentication Policies | 4 hours |
| Data verification | 8 Hours |
| Cloud Application Integration | 6 Hours |
| Project Management | 5 Hours |