All IAM glossary termsFundamentals · glossary
Identity Provider (IdP)
Also known as: IdP · Identity Provider
Definition
An Identity Provider (IdP) is a system that authenticates users and issues signed assertions or tokens to relying parties — Okta, Microsoft Entra, Auth0, Ping Identity, and JumpCloud are common workforce IdPs.
In more depth
The IdP is the authoritative authentication authority. It manages credentials, enforces MFA, applies Conditional Access policies, and issues tokens (SAML assertions or OIDC ID/access tokens) trusted by downstream relying parties.
For workforce, one primary IdP serves all employees and federates to SaaS apps. For customer identity, the IdP serves end users and often federates to upstream IdPs (Google, Microsoft, Facebook social login) and downstream APIs.
Want the work, not just the definition?