Federated identity is the linking of electronic identities across multiple security domains or organizations, allowing a user authenticated in one domain to access resources in another without creating a new account.
⚙️ How Does It Work?
Trust relationships are established between Identity Providers (IdPs) and Service Providers (SPs) using SAML or OIDC. The user authenticates once with their home IdP; federated assertions carry their identity to partner systems.
📍 Where Is It Used?
B2B partnerships, university research networks, government inter-agency systems, healthcare information exchanges, M&A integrations.
💡 Real-World Example
A law firm and its client establish SAML federation. The firm's attorneys log in once using their own corporate credentials and gain access to the client's document sharing portal — no second login, no extra account, no password management for either side.
🔗 Related Terms
Stay Ahead in Identity Security
Get weekly IAM, PAM & IGA insights via Identity Pulse.
Subscribe to Identity Pulse →