Okta is a cloud-based identity management service that helps companies manage user identities and access online resources from anywhere. It allows organizations to connect with suppliers, customers, and partners securely within a single loop.

It offers deep integrations and enables companies to modernize their IT environment. The platform also helps prevent data breaches and provides an added level of authentication.

Here, we will discuss Okta in detail – how Okta works, its features, benefits, and drawbacks. Further, we have shared its pricing plans.

What Is Identity Management and Access Control?

Identity management and access control are the processes used to manage who can access what resources.

The identity management process is often called authentication, and it is the process of verifying that a user is who they say they are. It can be done in person, with a password, or using an ID card. The access control process is often called authorization, and it determines what a user can do after they have been authenticated.

Identity management and access control are the key components of your security architecture. With identity management and access control solutions, an organization can keep its systems and data secure from unauthorized users or unknown threats.

Further, with the implementation of an IAM framework, i.e., single sign-on systems, multifactor authentication, and privileged access management, IT managers can better control user access to sensitive data.

Some of its benefits are:

• It provides the necessary security to a network by managing and controlling access to it.
• It can be implemented easily in any network and has an affordable cost.
• It can be integrated with other systems without any difficulty.
• Better control helps minimize the risk of internal and external data breaches.
• Automated systems help in operating more efficiently.
• It makes it easy to address issues and enforce policies around user authentication.

Okta Product Overview

Identity management is a key area for businesses, and Okta’s cloud solution provides a secure and reliable way to manage identities and access applications. Okta is a cloud-based Identity Management solution that enables businesses to manage their identities and access applications with a single login.

Okta’s identity management capabilities include IDAAS (Identity Access Management), user authentication, and web services integration. It is a secure platform with extensive audit capabilities.

With Okta’s excellent features, companies can easily manage their Okta accounts using the Okta management console or the Okta API.

It also provides system administration tools in its package that include a central console to manage access rights managers. You can further create, modify, or delete accounts in bulk.

Okta is a great option for businesses that want to improve their operational efficiency and mitigate risks. It offers an identity-powered strategy and security that helps ensure that you are giving access to only the right people and right resources.

In simple terms, Okta is safe and protects your sensitive data from unauthorized or other users when accessing your device or phone. It has various features that prevent other users from stealing your personal information. Siemens, Slack, Takeda,  JetBlue, and Nordstrom are a few users of Okta.

Before coming to any conclusion, let us understand how it works, and what are its benefits, drawbacks, and pricing plans.

How Does Okta Work?

Okta provides a suite of products that enable developers to securely manage user identities, build secure connections, and enable SSO.

The platform uses SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language), SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), and SCIML (System for Cross-domain Identity Management) to enable access to users. It has a feature that alerts you on noticing any sign-in from geolocation other than where you reside.

To use Okta, you first need to create an account. You’ll need to provide the required information, such as your company’s name and contact information. Then, you’ll need to set up your user dashboard, which will include information about your users, such as their login credentials and profile pictures. It also recommends adding options like biometrics, OTP, or security questions as secondary security.

Why Do Businesses Utilize Okta?

Today, many businesses have started facing challenges related to security due to evolving technology. Okta in this case is a suitable choice as it provides access to a wide range of applications and services, making it an ideal option.

Today, businesses that are looking for an easy way to integrate and access a variety of applications and services securely must invest in Okta. Okta’s integration network includes several leading providers, so businesses can easily connect to the applications and services they need.

Further, it has an easy-to-use interface that makes it a great solution for businesses, as all employees can access company software and communicate with team members easily.

Another reason why businesses prefer Okta is it offers a Single Sign-On (SSO) login. Companies that want to enable their employees to access multiple applications with one login can rely on Okta.

Organizations utilize Okta for a variety of reasons, including its heterogeneous nature and mobile services. Centralized identity means that one organization can manage all the user data in one place, which is beneficial for businesses that want to tightly control user access. Solutions like Okta provide seamless functioning, meaning that users don’t have to change their habits to access resources.

In short, platforms like Okta can be helpful for businesses that want to improve security and efficiency.

Features of Okta

• Active Directory (AD) Active Directory (AD) is the predominant directory service for organizations of all sizes. AD enables organizations to manage user access and permissions, and to enforce security policies.
• Multifactor authentication Multifactor authentication is a security feature that requires two or more factors to be authenticated to log in to an account.
• Configurable rules Configurable rules allow administrators to create policies that determine which users are allowed to access which resources. Okta’s capabilities include support for AD, SSO, SAML, and IAM.

Here are a few more features of Okta:

• Access Request Management
• Compliance Management
• API Access Management
• Social Sign On
• Passwordless Login
• Advanced Server Access
• Centralized user Management
• Universal Directory
• Lifecycle Management
• Single Sign-On (SSO)
• User Activity Monitoring
• Password Management
• Account Management
• Role Management

Advantages of Okta

Okta is a cloud-based identity management service that helps businesses and developers securely manage user identities and user access to their applications. Here are a few advantages of Okta:

• Okta’s local applications allow companies to manage their identities and access resources from their own premises.
• The platform is suitable for directory and management systems applications. 
• Okta’s cloud solution offers companies a scalable and secure identity platform that can be accessed from anywhere.
• Synchronizes with numerous integrations to simplify the workflow.
• Offers high-level security that protects users’ credentials from being stolen or compromised.
• Using Okta, you can provision users, manage their accounts, and enforce strong authentication requirements.
• Easy to implement Single Sign-On feature on any app.
• Okta’s software can be used to manage large enterprise customers as well as small startups.
• Okta allows you to use GitLab to manage your users and their accounts.
• Offers compliance management and detailed reporting options
• Easy onboarding and off-boarding processes
• Creates an overview of all accessed applications, their processes, and activities.
• Helps manage the entire life cycle
• Eliminates the need for maintaining a manual book or directory.
• Reduces IT friction and saves time.
• Okta allows users to unlock multiple applications at once.
• Offers access control for API and automated provisioning of users.

Disadvantages of Okta

• Self-hosting options are not available.
• Lacks application updates.
• Customer support needs improvement.

Okta Use Cases

Okta’s features can be used across many use cases, such as provisioning and de-provisioning, lifecycle management, and more. Here are a few more use cases of Okta Workflow:

• Offers out-of-the-box emails and sends custom end-user notifications
• Custom identities with CRM and other marketing tools
• Provisioning and de-provisioning
• Limiting access to specific periods for users or delaying entitlements
• Lifecycle management and activity reporting
• Notifications for lifecycle management
• Identity proofing using third-party service
• Immediate action for user identities

Okta Pricing

Okta offers a free trial, subscription, and quotation-based pricing plan.

Product	Cost	Features
Single Sign-On	$2 per user per month	Okta Integration Network, third-party MFA integration, Okta ThreatInsight, RADIUS authentication, IDP discovery, local language support, SIEM integration, PIV card authentication
Adaptive Single Sign-On	$5 per user per month	All features of Single Sign-On plus risk-based authentication, network context, device, location context
iMulti-factor Authentication	$3 per user per month	Apple TouchID, Okta ThreatInsight, SMS, Voice, Windows Hello
Adaptive Multi-factor Authentication	$6 per user per month	All features of Multi-factor Authentication plus managed devices, New geo-location, Impossible travel patterns
Universal Directory	$2 per user per month	Cloud-based LDAP authentication, custom mapping, cloud directory, unlimited directory integrations, custom user attributes and fields
Lifecycle Management	$4 per user per month	Auto provisioning, directory integration with AD/LDAP, group discovery, automation, access request workflows, access audit reports, APIs, attribute mapping, and customizable directory
Advanced Lifecycle Management	$6 per user per month	All features of Lifecycle Management plus flexible triggers, automation, pre-built templates, on-premises provisioning SDK, and a graphical interface for identity processes
API Access Management	$2 per user per month	Customizable authorization servers, application and directory integrations, OAuth 2.0, OIDC compliance, and dynamic client registration
Advanced Sourcing add-on	$2 per user per month	HR-driven IT provisioning, mastering from on-premises apps, CSV directory, and Select OIN apps
Advanced Server Access	$15 per user per month	MFA authentication, API support, end-to-end lifecycle management of Linux and Windows accounts
Access Gateway	$3 per user per month	Application policies, custom web apps, and integrations
Light (Workflows)	$4 per user per month	All Okta workflows connectors, templates, features, and functions with up to 50 flows
One App	$14000 per year	Customizable email templates, authentication, authorization, customizable sign-in, user management, and service level assurance
Medium (Workflows)	$5 per user per month	All Okta workflows connectors, templates, features, and functions with up to 150 flows
Unlimited (Workflows)	$6 per user per month	All Okta workflows connectors, templates, features, and functions with unlimited flows
Enterprise	$36,000 per year	Features of the One App plan plus custom applications with access to unlimited OIDC and SAML applications

Conclusion

Okta is a cloud-based authentication solution that helps companies manage user authentication and access. It offers a range of features, including multi-factor authentication (MFA), user dashboards, text message authentication, and secure web authentication. With Okta, you can unlock multiple applications at once. Further, it saves time, improves operational efficiency, and mitigates risk.

It is an independent identity provider with 7,000+ pre-built integrations. Most organizations rely on it to securely access devices from any location.

Using Okta, you can integrate with best-of-the-best security systems, as well as reduce breach incidents. It maintains a balance between user experience and security with its excellent features and functions.

Okta is a secure identity platform that can be accessed from anywhere. It offers access control for API and automated provisioning of users. Also, it allows users to create, modify, or delete accounts in bulk. The best part is, that businesses of all sizes can use this platform to tightly control user access.

Compliance management, API Access Management, Social sign-on, Advanced Server Access, Centralized user management, Universal Directory, and Multifactor authentication are a few key features of Okta.

Go through the above-listed features and benefits to check if it meets your business requirements. Also, have a look at the pricing plan before coming to any conclusion.