Increasing Banco CTT security and productivity with Okta SSO

Challenge / Opportunity

Banco CTT, a leading organization with 212 branches, sought to elevate both security and employee productivity. Their current authentication process lacked efficiency, relying on multiple logins for various applications, both internal and from external partners. This scenario not only slowed down employees but also presented security vulnerabilities. We were tasked with implementing a modern Single Sign-On (SSO) solution to address these concerns.

Approach

Our approach focused on several key areas to address the client’s challenges and leverage opportunities for improvement:

1. Enhancing Security: Our foremost priority was to bolster security measures for accessing corporate and partner applications. This involved implementing robust authentication protocols and minimizing vulnerabilities to mitigate the risk of successful phishing attacks.
2. Improving Productivity: Simplifying the authentication process was crucial to boosting productivity. By implementing a seamless SSO solution, we aimed to reduce the time and effort employees spent on accessing various applications, thereby optimizing their workflow efficiency.
3. Reducing Password Resets: By instituting an SSO framework, we aimed to diminish the frequency of password reset requests. This not only alleviated the burden on IT support but also empowered employees with a more seamless access experience.
4. Enhancing Employee Experience: Central to our approach was the goal of enhancing the overall employee experience. We sought to create a user-friendly authentication system that would improve satisfaction and engagement among employees.

Solution

To achieve these goals, we implemented the following:

•  Okta as the Central Hub: Okta, a leading identity and access management (IAM) platform, was configured as the central authority for managing user access across all applications. Active Directory (AD) remained the authoritative source for user identities, ensuring a smooth integration with existing infrastructure.
• OpenID Connect Integration: OpenID Connect (OIDC) flows were utilized to seamlessly authorize access to various applications through Okta. This standardized approach streamlined the integration process and ensured compatibility.
• Client Tea, Training: To empower Banco CTT’s internal IT team, we provided comprehensive training on managing partner access within the Okta platform. This knowledge transfer ensured long-term self-sufficiency for Banco CTT.

Impact

The implemented SSO solution yielded significant benefits for Banco CTT:

• Decreased Risk of Phishing Attacks: By fortifying access controls and reducing reliance on passwords, the risk of successful phishing attacks was substantially mitigated.
• Stronger Password Practices: Okta encourages the use of strong, unique passwords, and the implementation of SSO led to a reduction in weak and reusable passwords, further enhancing the organization’s security posture.
• Improved Incident Response: The centralized and comprehensive view of user access within Okta facilitates a faster and more effective response to security incidents.
• Platform for Growth: The implemented solution serves as a secure foundation for future advancements, including the potential integration of Lifecycle Management (LCM) processes for streamlined user provisioning and deprovisioning, ensuring scalability and adaptability to evolving security needs.

This case study demonstrates the transformative power of modern SSO solutions. By prioritizing both security and employee experience, we were able to significantly enhance Banco CTT’s overall operational efficiency and create a more secure digital environment for their 212 branches.