Okta Workforce Identity is used for MFA and SSO and it satisfies application authentication.
Senior Director of Application Services at a comms service provider with 1,001-5,000 employees
Secure environment, helpful support, useful feature sets
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features of Okta Workforce Identity are SSO, MFA, and beneficial feature sets."
- "Okta Workforce Identity could improve the way passwords are reset and how it interfaces with Microsoft."
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
Okta Workforce Identity has helped our organization by allowing us to work remotely in a secure environment.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of Okta Workforce Identity are SSO, MFA, and beneficial feature sets.
What needs improvement?
Okta Workforce Identity could improve the way passwords are reset and how it interfaces with Microsoft.
Okta Workforce Identity acquired Auth0 and they should have a solution with integration between the two.
Buyer's Guide
Okta Workforce Identity
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Okta Workforce Identity. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
815,854 professionals have used our research since 2012.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Okta Workforce Identity for approximately five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Okta Workforce Identity has been stable in our usage.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of Okta Workforce Identity is good, it scales up well. We do not have any issues with slowness, outages, or when we need to increase users.
We have approximately 2,500 users using this solution and their roles vary from administrators, end-users, and highly-trained individuals.
We plan to increase usage, and it will be global.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support is good, we have always had an effective response.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward. The deployment took approximately two months.
I would rate the initial implementation of Okta Workforce Identity a four out of five.
What about the implementation team?
We used Okta to do the implementation. Our experience with them was good, everything went well.
We have two people who do the maintenance and support of the solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of Okta Workforce Identity is competitively priced. We pay annually for the use of the solution.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We evaluated Microsoft Azure before choosing Okta Workforce Identity.
Microsoft Azure was not closely compatible with their features and support.
What other advice do I have?
My advice to others is to look for an independent tool that goes across applications because you have to look at Apple and Microsoft toolsets. A good independent solution that is hardware agnostic is Okta Workforce Identity.
I rate Okta Workforce Identity nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Technical Solutions Lead at a insurance company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Stable and reliable solution but the application updates are lacking
Pros and Cons
- "A solution that's easy to use, stable, and reliable."
- "Application updates are lacking. Customer support needs to be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We've been using this solution for SSO and consolidation of IDs.
How has it helped my organization?
This solution brought us the SSO perspective, and this is the main reason we're using it.
What is most valuable?
The only thing I like about Okta Workforce Identity compared to other solutions in the market is that it's an easy resource that you can get, even if you're working with many users, but there is a lot to learn about it.
What needs improvement?
There are many things that Okta has to improve on. I understand that Okta has a lot of apps, like any other provider, e.g. Microsoft apps, IDP apps, or cloud identity apps.
The problem with Okta is that they create the app and they never update. In this fast-paced industry where versions keep getting updated, Okta is really slow at times.
None of the Okta applications that they create, for example, in my case: I have used the cloud identity of Microsoft apps and now I'm using the off tabs. What I found is none of the single Okta apps that we have worked and did not create an issue. They are not fully mature. So it's that aspect that can be improved, which Okta is investigating. Their application support and not having updates for those applications also need to be improved. These are the things that surprised me and I was not able to understand from Okta.
Okta's customer support should be improved.
Okta should work with certain providers, e.g. the Google cloud, the AWS cloud, the Microsoft cloud, and they should evaluate the integration point because what happens is if your organization has SSO which relies on Okta, all of these three clouds and the Okta app are far from perfect. You are not able to get the right setup based on how your security is trying to define it vs what the application can support. You'll end up using the default interface Okta provides with those apps.
I understand Okta could say that if they shouldn't worry about it because if AWS wanted to support Okta, then AWS should be the one providing us the app and support, but Okta should try to understand the users, do surveys from the different automation using Okta, and use different apps because those apps are very critical. They are far from perfect, so Okta has the worst implementation.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used this solution in the last 12 months. We've been using it for six years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This solution is stable and reliable. We didn't find the solution itself hard to use.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability of this solution is bad. Scalability has two or three different meanings to it.
Is it scalable from the infrastructure side of it? The answer is yes.
Is this scalable from the business perspective? The answer is no. For example, the B2B and the B2C solutions that others provide, those aspects in Okta are completely lacking.
For example, if I have the Microsoft Azure Active Directory, I have the B2C, B2B, and the phase rate, so I have a way to not only support my enterprise but my end customers in a very fast manner. In the case of Okta, that whole path is a nightmare to work with.
How are customer service and support?
I didn't like Okta's support. They say they have very good support, but the moment you create a ticket, they will tell you that they provide the app, but they cannot provide support because we connected the app to another environment, or to another side of the spectrum. This seemed very odd to me.
First, we are using the application you specified, then you say you cannot support this application just because the value provided is outside of this application, so you cannot troubleshoot or help us to troubleshoot if we open a ticket. Every single time it's a chicken and egg type of situation. From that perspective, Okta's support is horrible.
How was the initial setup?
The setup was straightforward. Nowadays, all the other IDPs are the same way, too. I didn't find a single IDP that had no experience at the level, and all of them can stand up at the same time, within the same time frame.
With Okta, on the other hand, the requirement to have the ID server in between, whether it's the cloud-based ID server specified, or the on-prem base, like ours: It's on-prem, but what I found was that we were not able to do it even after following all the guidance unless we had a dedicated Okta person to help us do it. It was a different situation with Microsoft and cloud IDP which were easy to set up, as we were able to do it ourselves just by following the documentation.
What about the implementation team?
We implemented the solution through an integrator consultant. They are fine. They are doing the job on a daily basis.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
This solution is costly.
With Microsoft, you get the exact same information that Okta gives out of the box: free, because that's what Microsoft does, and even if I compare to other cloud IDPs, with Okta, access may offer free access for startups, and if you have fewer users, it's okay. Pricing is decent. The moment you talk about the enterprise level, for example, we were talking about implementing Okta across the US with multiple customers, and the cost they gave us was two million dollars. The cost is not justified for the single assets of this solution, so Okta is bad in those terms.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We've been evaluating Microsoft Azure Active Directory. It's still in the POC phase, and it's been three or four months. We have very particular requirements, e.g. a mix of multiple IDPs with Okta, and Azure Active Directory is one of them, but that is the only one where we don't have the solution. We are trying to do the POCs first to ensure that they are able to meet our needs.
What other advice do I have?
The reports I downloaded were very informative. The things that we were trying to do is generally the One ID and software entitlement. Our customers find them more useful than the Microsoft Azure side of it. They know that the functionality exists and they are able to use that functionality, but the intuitive nature of managing the entitlement was not there. We also had a requirement where we wanted to mix the Okta in between, for the SSO, so I was trying to collect as much information as I can get and that information was helpful.
Whenever you search for the Okta documentation, for example, if we search for cloud IDP and Microsoft-related documentation, it's only on Microsoft's site we get the help we need, including help from the community. Okta's community, when you Google it, is lacking because it only contains help or information about Okta products because Okta users are only able to use the product in a standard way.
This surprised me especially because Okta has such a good name, but the bottom line is, if you ask me as a decision-maker or the one who influences decisions in our organization, if I was going to choose Okta as our SSO provider, my answer will be flat NO.
The initial implementation of this solution took three months. It's a very simple and standard implementation, so that's never been a problem.
A hundred users are currently using this solution in our organization. It doesn't require heavy maintenance.
Working with Okta can be restrictive, and this is where Okta doesn't shine.
This solution is being used extensively in our organization. Increasing its usage will depend on whether they are able to convince the Infotech folks, and that's what's happening.
The advice I would give to others looking into implementing this solution is for them to first try to understand it. They should not confine themselves to selecting Okta, thinking that it's the end solution. They should look at their future needs too because once they implement Okta without considering their future needs, they will have to do a lot of hacks and tricks. Before they even delve into Okta, they have to first think about their future and how much this solution will cost in the long run.
This solution meets the need, but that's all, so I'm rating it a six out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Okta Workforce Identity
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Okta Workforce Identity. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
815,854 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Manager IAM at a computer software company with 11-50 employees
Easy, secure access for your workforce but team access management can be better
Pros and Cons
- "Workforce Identity offers a comprehensive access management solution with multi-factor authentication, total control, and features like app access management, identity governance, and administration tools such as certification and access request management. These are typically found in identity management solutions, but Okta integrates them seamlessly into its user interface."
- "They should focus on improving them to provide top-notch team access management while still offering those typical features."
What is our primary use case?
We have been using this tool for access management. Our client has connected their app's security with Okta Workforce Identity. We have used LinkedIn's libraries to integrate it with various apps, including Oracle and others.
What is most valuable?
Workforce Identity offers a comprehensive access management solution with multi-factor authentication, total control, and features like app access management, identity governance, and administration tools such as certification and access request management. These are typically found in identity management solutions, but Okta integrates them seamlessly into its user interface.
What needs improvement?
They should focus on providing top-notch team access management to companies.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Okta Workforce Identity for the past 10 months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It has proven to be stable in the time I've used it. If there are any challenges, their support team has been responsive and helpful. Overall, my experience with them has been positive.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's scalable, but we need to coordinate with Okta's support team or our account manager if we want to increase our workload. Since it's a complete SaaS solution, they can make the necessary adjustments accordingly.
How are customer service and support?
As premium customers, we have the opportunity to schedule calls directly with Okta's expert team members for discussions and support. It's a valuable perk of being a premium user.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
I haven't personally handled the deployment, but I've worked on configuring the printer, which wasn't too complex. As for deployment time and manpower, it's a bit different since Okta Workforce Identity is a cloud-based platform. We don't need dedicated servers as Okta manages integration. We work on our own tenants, and Okta provides preview environments for testing new features. As for maintenance, it's not too difficult, especially for premium customers who can raise support tickets if needed.
What other advice do I have?
I received good support for addressing some bugs, although there were delays in fixing them due to the product backlog and prioritization process at Okta. The resolution time depended on how they prioritized issues, which sometimes caused delays. Overall, I would rate it 7 out of 10.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Last updated: Feb 26, 2024
Flag as inappropriateDevOps Team Lead at a tech vendor with 201-500 employees
Simplifies user lifecycle management and provides SSO
Pros and Cons
- "The tool provides a single place of contact for managing users. We only need to manage users in Okta Workforce Identity, eliminating the need to duplicate efforts across different systems. For example, if a user needs to be decommissioned, we don't have to go through all the systems and cloud services; we delete the user in one place. This process is automated with our HR system for both organizations, simplifying user lifecycle management."
- "We faced some challenges during the Okta Identity Workforce deployment. Integrating with AWS and other cloud services posed some limitations with federated options. For instance, features like automatic user addition from AWS to the tool were missing, requiring manual intervention. The API is limited compared to the manual configuration possible through the UI."
What is our primary use case?
The primary use cases are SSO, user management, and SSO integration with various cloud services, including AWS, GCP, GitHub, etc.
What is most valuable?
The tool provides a single place of contact for managing users. We only need to manage users in Okta Workforce Identity, eliminating the need to duplicate efforts across different systems. For example, if a user needs to be decommissioned, we don't have to go through all the systems and cloud services; we delete the user in one place. This process is automated with our HR system for both organizations, simplifying user lifecycle management.
The main features we find most valuable are the single sign-on and the OTP authentication. The ability to connect via a PC or a mobile phone makes the process seamless.
The MFA feature enhances regular authentication through the user portal and utilizes one-time passwords generated from QR codes on mobile devices.
What needs improvement?
We faced some challenges during the Okta Identity Workforce deployment. Integrating with AWS and other cloud services posed some limitations with federated options. For instance, features like automatic user addition from AWS to the tool were missing, requiring manual intervention. The API is limited compared to the manual configuration possible through the UI.
I think Okta Workforce Identity could improve by making its API more robust, ensuring that all UI capabilities are exposed in the API. This is particularly important for integrating with other applications, such as AWS and other cloud providers.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with the product for six years.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The licensing model is fine for general service usage. However, the charges for API features and API tokens can be quite high.
What other advice do I have?
I would give Okta Workforce Identity a solid eight out of ten. There's always room for improvement, but overall, the tool performs well and meets our needs. The solution was my first experience with such products. Previously, I had used internal tools like Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Active Directory services within Azure, which were excellent for corporate environments. However, I find Okta Workforce Identity more suitable for startups.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Last updated: Jun 20, 2024
Flag as inappropriateChief Technology Officer at Windval Technology Solutions LLC
Easy to implement and manage, and the cost benefits are valuable
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features are ease of operation and visibility."
- "The integration with third-party tools needs to be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We are a solution provider and Okta is one of the products that we implement for our clients. I am a solution architect and help to design the system.
Most of our clients have a hybrid architecture where they want to use a single sign-on. They have some applications on-premises, whereas others are on the public cloud. This means that they have a two-tier or three-tier architecture.
How has it helped my organization?
Our clients are happy because prior to implementation, they had a very distributed architecture. Okta has allowed them to consolidate with respect to identity management, which increases their operational efficiency.
This product has the features that every customer is looking for.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features are ease of operation and visibility.
This product is easy to deploy and easy to manage.
There are cost benefits to using this solution.
What needs improvement?
The integration with third-party tools needs to be improved. Mainly, the open-source APIs for Splunk would be helpful, as that is where they aggregate most of the data. If this process can be streamlined then it will definitely help.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Okta for the past three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a stable product.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This solution is scalable. Our clients are large, Fortune 500 businesses.
How are customer service and technical support?
Okta has very good support and I would score them high, at nine out of ten. I am definitely happy with them.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Prior to working with Okta, our clients had native solutions.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward.
We currently have one customer deployed on AWS and another on Azure.
What about the implementation team?
I am the solution architect and our in-house team does the implementation.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
As part of the process, our clients did a couple of POCs. Symantec was one of them, Okta was another, and there was a third product that they evaluated. During this process, they had success criteria defined, and Okta did well with most of it.
The metrics included the operation and cost benefits, the business value, and the support.
What other advice do I have?
Every customer has a different need and a different requirement. For anybody who is considering this product, I think they should do a pilot POC to make sure that it works well in their environment.
I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator
Global Leader - Application Operations & Operational Excellence at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Quality, scalable solution for user and application authentication
Pros and Cons
- "I am able to authenticate my users on cloud and SaaS applications such as Workday through Okta workflows."
- "We experienced some technical glitches that need to be resolved."
What is our primary use case?
We implemented this solution for all employees within our environment. So, the entire single sign-on is through Okta for all of our employees through all applications.
How has it helped my organization?
Okta enables us to authenticate my users on cloud and SaaS applications such as Workday through Okta workflows.
What is most valuable?
I would like for the onboarding process for new solutions to be simplified because, right now, it is a very lengthy process.
What needs improvement?
We experienced some technical glitches that need to be resolved.
I go into further detail below in the 'stability' section.
For how long have I used the solution?
We implemented the solution one year ago.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is pretty stable but we have experienced some glitches. We use Zscaler for our security encryption protection. Whenever Zscaler expired, Okta would stop working. We were able to fix this by storing the credentials and local mission that that we would be able to authenticate without Zscaler.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable both on-premise and on cloud. We currently have 36,000 users.
How are customer service and support?
We have not had any major challenges over the past two years; however, they do offer quality customer service to all tickets.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
We had a partner help us which made the implementation even easier. We have also outsourced a support party, Data Consultancy Services, to manage the solution for us - they have about three to four engineers manage the solution for us.
What was our ROI?
We are able to look at our ROI from this solution as an intangible benefit. The solution requires a lot of human capital but offers us security so in our opinion we have received a high ROI as this is something that we have planned for and invested in.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
This is an expensive solution but the security makes it worthwhile.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Systems Engineer II at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees
App assignment and SAML integrations are valuable features.
What is most valuable?
- User provisioning
- User deprovisioning
- App assignment
- SAML integrations
How has it helped my organization?
We are able to deploy solutions rapidly and also have a better idea on licensing as we can easily see who has access, who has been accessing and also who is not using an app.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see further integrations with applications and services such as Office 365.
For how long have I used the solution?
Between my last two jobs, I have used it for about seven years.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
We have not encountered any deployment issues whatsoever.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We have not encountered any stability issues; this is a very stable platform.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
With over 2500 users, we have not encountered any scalability issues.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
Customer service is excellent. We don't have to worry when we have an issue; they are always on top of it.
Technical Support:Technical support is 9/10; very professional and solid.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have had experience with Ping and ADFS but not at the places I have worked; only with customers.
How was the initial setup?
We do a lot with Okta but the setup was still very easy.
What about the implementation team?
An in-house team implemented it.
What was our ROI?
We do things much faster and have a much better understanding of utilization and licensing. We are more agile and, therefore, more productive and faster to act.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's worth the investment. Make sure you fully utilize Okta, even if it takes professional services.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Before choosing this product, we evaluated Ping and ADFS.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Security Solutions Engineer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Enhancing secure access with single sign-on and multi-factor authentication
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable functions are Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)."
- "Okta could improve by making their learning materials more user-friendly."
What is our primary use case?
As an Okta Identity engineer, I implement Okta for different clients such as banks, telecoms, and insurance companies. These companies need an IAM solution to manage their employees securely and provide them with access to the right applications. Okta is used to automate provisioning and support any errors encountered during and after deployment.
Companies use Okta Workforce Identity to manage their employees' secure access to applications and to minimize the effort required by IT teams to manage identities. The solution helps organizations allow their employees to log into their applications without re-entering credentials and securely access their applications via MFA.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable functions are Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). These two modules serve as dual components, essential for securing application access for employees.
What needs improvement?
Okta could improve by making their learning materials more user-friendly. They could also enhance the flexibility of their MFA feature, allowing clients to implement preferred MFA methods without restrictions.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been handling Okta Workforce Identity for five years now.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
There might be occasional glitches or bugs that need improvement, so I would rate its stability as eight out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Okta scores a nine out of ten for scalability.
How are customer service and support?
Okta support is efficient, actively responding on time. They deserve a rating of eight out of ten for their technical support.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I handle CyberArk IAM solutions alongside Okta. I find Okta to be more user-friendly and flexible than CyberArk, especially regarding MFA and SSO features.
How was the initial setup?
The setup process for Okta is relatively straightforward and not overly complex.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Okta is one of the more expensive IAM solutions, and I would rate it an eight regarding cost.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
The main competitor to Okta Workforce Identity is CyberArk Identity.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend Okta Workforce Identity to other users.
I'd rate the solution nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller
Last updated: Oct 15, 2024
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Updated: November 2024
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