Google Single Sign-On or Google SSO is a secure authentication system that reduces the burden of login for your users, by enabling them to sign in with their Google account.
You will learn in this post about Google’s single sign-on (SSO) integration using SAML:
What is Google SSO?
SSO with Google is a secure authentication system that allows users to sign in to Google services and other applications using their existing Google account credentials, without needing to enter a password each time. It can be used with both Google Workspace and Cloud Identity user accounts, where the external application integrates with the user identities managed in those Google platforms.
Here are the key advantages of using Google Single Sign-On (SSO):
- Improved User Experience: Users don’t have to repeatedly enter credentials, streamlining the login process.
- Maintaining Identity Provider (IdP) as System of Record: Organizations don’t have to synchronize passwords across systems, as the Google IdP remains the authoritative source.
- Centralized App and Access Management: SSO provides a unified view to track all connected vendors, apps, and user access permissions.
- Leveraging Existing Identity Provider: Organizations can leverage their existing Google Workspace or Cloud Identity as the identity provider for SSO.
Using Google SSO with Gmail!
The seamless integration between single sign on gmail and Google’s identity platform makes SSO a compelling option for organizations looking to improve user experience and streamline identity management for their Google-centric technology stack.
Using Google SSO with Gmail provides the following benefits:
- Enhanced Security: Google’s robust security measures, such as two-factor authentication and advanced threat protection, are inherited by apps integrated with Google SSO.
- Productivity Gains: Users can quickly switch between their Gmail and other connected applications without interruption, improving overall productivity.
- Simplified IT Management: IT teams only need to manage user accounts and permissions in the Google Admin console, rather than having to maintain separate credentials across multiple apps.
Single sign on for Google
Key Aspects of Google SSO:
- Identity Provider: Google acts as the identity provider, managing user accounts and authentication.
- Federated Authentication: Google SSO uses federated authentication protocols like SAML and OpenID Connect to enable single sign-on.
- Google Accounts: Users can sign in to Google services and connect third-party apps using their existing Google account credentials.
Implementation Considerations:
- App Integration: Third-party applications need to be integrated with Google’s SSO APIs and protocols.
- Identity Mapping: User identities between Google and third-party apps may need to be mapped.
- Compliance: Ensure Google SSO aligns with any regulatory or organizational data privacy/security requirements.
Sign-in with Google API
Google single sign-on API allows users to sign in to your application using their Google account.
Key features of the Google Sign-In API:
- Authentication: The API handles the authentication flow, allowing users to sign in securely with their Google account.
- User Information: Once signed in, the API provides access to the user’s basic profile information, such as their name, email, and profile picture.
- Single Sign-On (SSO): The API supports single sign-on, allowing users to access your application and other connected services with a single Google account.
- Platform Support: The Google Sign-In API is available for a variety of platforms, including web, Android, and iOS.
What is the function of Oauth Google?
OAuth is an authorization protocol that allows one application to access protected resources stored in another application, without the user having to share their login credentials.
OAuth is often used as the basis for authentication workflows and is a common way to pass authorization from a single sign-on (SSO) service to another cloud application.
For example, OAuth can allow a user to give ESPN.com access to their Facebook profile or timeline without providing their Facebook password.
Google uses the OAuth 2.0 protocol for authentication and authorization in its APIs.
To get started with Google’s OAuth 2.0 implementation, you can obtain OAuth 2.0 client credentials from the Google API Console.
The OAuth flow ends with the app obtaining an access token, which allows it to access or modify something about the user’s account.
Access tokens are generally valid for a limited time for security reasons and can be revoked if the app is compromised.
Some grant types allow the authorization server to issue a refresh token, which allows the app to get a new access token when the old one expires.
About Gsuite SSO
SAML vs SSO
SAML is a technology standard that enables federated identity management and SSO, while SSO is a broader concept that can be implemented using various approaches, including SAML. SAML provides the underlying mechanism to facilitate the SSO experience.
The key differences between SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) and SSO (Single Sign-On) are:
Definition:
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- SAML is an open standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between an identity provider (IdP) and a service provider (SP).
- SSO is an authentication scheme that allows a user to log in once and gain access to multiple independent or federated software systems.
Scope:
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- SAML is a technology standard that enables federated identity management and SSO.
- SSO is a higher-level concept that can be implemented using various technologies, including SAML.
Role:
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- SAML provides the protocol and data format to securely transfer user authentication and authorization information between the IdP and SP.
- SSO provides a seamless user experience where a user can access multiple applications without re-authenticating.
Components:
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- SAML involves three main components: the user, the IdP, and the SP.
- Google SSO can be implemented with or without SAML, depending on the specific authentication and authorization requirements.
Process:
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- In a SAML-based SSO flow, the user is redirected from the SP to the IdP to authenticate, and the IdP then sends a SAML assertion to the SP to grant access.
- In a non-SAML SSO scenario, the user’s credentials may be stored and shared across multiple applications, or a single sign-on service may handle the authentication and authorization.
How to Get SAML Tracer Chrome for SSO?
To get the SAML Tracer Chrome extension for troubleshooting single sign-on (SSO) issues, follow these steps:
- Open the Google Chrome web browser.
- Go to the Chrome Web Store by visiting the following URL:
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions - In the search bar at the top of the Chrome Web Store, type “SAML Tracer” and press Enter.
- The search results should display the “SAML Tracer” extension. Click on the “Add to Chrome” button to install the extension.
- Once the extension is installed, you should see the SAML Tracer icon (a puzzle piece) in the top-right corner of your Chrome browser.
Now, you can use the SAML Tracer extension to troubleshoot and debug SAML-based single sign-on (Google SSO) issues. Here’s how you can use it:
- When you’re experiencing an SSO-related issue, navigate to the website or application that’s using SAML for authentication.
- Click on the SAML Tracer icon in the Chrome toolbar to open the extension.
- The SAML Tracer will start capturing the SAML requests and responses exchanged between the service provider (SP) and the identity provider (IdP).
- You can then inspect the SAML messages, including the XML payload, headers, and other relevant information, to identify the root cause of the Google SSO issue.
The SAML Tracer extension is a valuable tool for developers, administrators, and IT professionals who need to troubleshoot and debug SAML-based single sign-on configurations and integrations. It provides visibility into the SAML communication, making it easier to identify and resolve any issues that may arise.
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