Skip to main content

Windows desktop SSO configuration

Use Windows desktop single sign-on (SSO) to allow immediate and secure access to resources via Kerberos-based authentication.

To enable this feature on any SecureAuth IdP realm, the SecureAuth IdP appliance must be joined to the company domain. Window desktops must be on the same company domain, with the ability to process and use Kerberos tickets.

You can configure realms to use Windows desktop SSO in any of the following ways:

Windows SSO

When the Begin Site is configured to use Windows SSO login workflow, you have the option to include multi-factor authentication (MFA) and adaptive authentication.  This method is more secure because it includes the Device Recognition layer. 

Windows SSO (skip workflow)

When the Begin Site is configured to use Windows SSO (skip workflow), it bypasses the login workflow, skips MFA, and routes the user directly to the Post Authentication page once it validates the Kerberos ticket. This method bypasses the Device Recognition layer, however, it increases system performance. 

Prerequisites

  • SecureAuth IdP version 9.1 and later

  • SecureAuth IdP realm or integrated application with the following configured:

    • Overview tab

    • Data tab

    • Workflow tab

    • Multi-Factor Methods configuration

    • Post Authentication configuration

    • Logs tab

  • Microsoft Active Directory in use and integrated with SecureAuth IdP

  • Set up custom identity SPN to leverage Integrated Windows Authentication (IWA)

Enable universal Windows desktop SSO in the environment

The most effective way to enable universal Windows desktop SSO is to push out a local intranet URL via Group Policy Object (GPO); however, end users can also configure their own devices and browsers to enable this feature.

To enable Windows desktop SSO

  1. Add the SecureAuth IdP server Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) to the Local intranet list of websites in Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Firefox browsers.

  2. Grant the "Authenticated Users" group access to the signing certificate being used in the realm.

    For instructions, see Grant Permission to Use Signing Certificate Private Key.

  3. Install the Machine Key Tool per the instructions in the document.

    1. Run the Machine Key Tool to assign "Authenticated Users" permissions to the RSA .NET Framework Configuration Key.

    2. Select option A on the Privileges tab in the document.

SecureAuth IdP configuration

  1. Go to the Workflow tab.

  2. In the Workflow section, set the following:

    Default Workflow

    Set to Username only.

    Note

    To configure two-factor authentication (2FA), select Username | Second Factor.

    Public/Private Mode

    Set to Public Mode Only.

    44833017.png
  3. In the Custom Identity Consumer section, set the following:

    Receive Token

    Set to Token.

    Require Begin Site

    Set to True.

    Begin Site

    Use any of the following options:

    • To include MFA and adaptive authentication in login workflow, set to Windows SSO. This method adds the Device Recognition layer, and is more secure.

    • To skip the login workflow and go directly to the Post Authentication page, set to Windows SSO (skip workflow). This method does not include MFA, adaptive authentication, and increases performance.

    Begin Site URL

    Depending on the Begin Site selection, this field is auto-populated with WindowsSSO.aspx or WindowsSSO2.aspx.

    User Impersonation

    Set to True.

    Windows Authentication

    Set to True.

    CustomFrontEndWSSOa.png
  4. Click Save.