Use this guide to enable SecureAuth IdP-initiated Multi-Factor Authentication and Single Sign-on (SSO) access via SAML to Box.
For Service Provider (SP)-initiated access, refer to Box (SP-initiated) Integration Guide
1. Have an enterprise tier Box account
SSO is available for only this pricing tier
2. Ensure that SAML SSO is enabled through an administrator account
Submit a support ticket to Box to enable SSO, and allow 2-3 days for processing before it is available
3. Acquire the Box SAML documentation that will provide necessary URLs for the SecureAuth IdP configuration
See Single Sign On (SSO) with Box: For Administrators at the Box Community website for assistance
4. Create a New Realm for the Box integration
5. Configure the following tabs in the Web Admin before configuring the Post Authentication tab:
Overview – the description of the realm and SMTP connections must be defined
Data – an enterprise directory must be integrated with SecureAuth IdP
Workflow – the way in which users will access this application must be defined
Multi-Factor Methods – the Multi-Factor Authentication methods that will be used to access this page (if any) must be defined
1. In the Profile Fields section, map the directory field that contains the user's Box ID to the SecureAuth IdP Property
For example, add the Box ID Field to the Email 2 Property if it is not already contained somewhere else
Warning
Click Save once the configurations have been completed and before leaving the Data page to avoid losing changes
2. Select SAML 2.0 (IdP Initiated) Assertion Page from the Authenticated User Redirect dropdown in the Post Authentication tab in the Web Admin
3. An unalterable URL will be auto-populated in the Redirect To field, which will append to the domain name and realm number in the address bar (Authorized/SAML20IdPInit.aspx)
4. A customized post authentication page can be uploaded, but it is not required
5. Select the SecureAuth IdP Property that corresponds to the directory field that contains the Box ID (Email 2)
6. Select urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:1.1:nameid-format:unspecified from the Name ID Format dropdown (default)
Select a different option if Box requires it, which the SP will provide
7. Select False from the Encode to Base64 dropdown
8. Set the SAML Consumer URL to URL provided by the Box SAML documentation
In typical Box deployments, the URL is https://sso.services.box.net/sp/ACS.saml2, but refer to the documentation for confirmation
9. Set the WSFed/SAML Issuer to a Unique Name that will be shared with Box
The WSFed/SAML Issuer must match exactly on the SecureAuth IdP side and the Box side
10. Set the SAML Recipient to the URL provided by the Box SAML documentation
In typical Box deployments, the URL is https://sso.services.box.net/sp/ACS.saml2, but refer to the documentation for confirmation
11. Set the SAML Audience to the URL provided by the Box SAML documentation
In typical Box deployments, the URL is https://sso.services.box.net/sp/ACS.saml2, but refer to the documentation for confirmation
12. Set the SAML Offset Minutes to make up for time differences between devices
13. Set the SAML Valid Hours to limit for how long the SAML assertion is valid
Note
No configuration is required for the WSFed Reply To/SAML Target URL or SP Start URL fields
14. Leave the Signing Cert Serial Number as the default value, unless there is a third-party certificate being used for the SAML assertion
If using a third-party certificate, click Select Certificate and choose the appropriate certificate
15. Provide the Domain in order to Download the Metadata File to send to Box
This will assist Box in enabling SSO
Warning
Click Save once the configurations have been completed and before leaving the Post Authentication page to avoid losing changes
Optionally, in the Forms Auth / SSO Token section, click the View and Configure FormsAuth keys/SSO token link to configure the token/cookie settings and configure this realm for SSO.