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ConnectWise Manage SAML integration

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an extra layer of security used when logging into websites or apps to authenticate users through more than one required security and validation procedure that only they know or have access to. Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is a protocol for authenticating to web applications. SAML allows federated apps and organizations to communicate and trust one another’s users.

Acceptto™, as a SAML provider, improves the user login experience for ConnectWise users with convenient MFA, and offers a simple SAML solution for adding MFA and single sign-on (SSO) on ConnectWise Manage.

Prerequisites

  • An Acceptto account with a configured Identity Provider and LDAP Agent.

    For more information, see the LDAP Agent deployment guide.

  • A user with administrative privileges for ConnectWise Manage.

Acceptto SAML Configuration as Identity Provider (IdP)

  1. Login to the Acceptto Dashboard with an administrative account and go to Applications.

  2. Create a new application by selecting the Create New Application.

    Create new application

  3. In the New Application form, enter the following values under the General tab.

    • Name - The application name displayed in the admin panel and application portal and used for push notifications and audit logs (e.g. connectwise)

    • Type - Select "SAML Service Provider" from the options

    • Out of Band Methods - Select the allowed methods for approving MFA requests

    • Message for MFA Requests - Enter the user-facing message for Push, SMS, and email MFA requests (optional)

    connectwise_manage_add_app.png

  4. Under the SAML Service Provider Configuration tab, enter the following values:

    • Issuer or Entity ID – The Issuer/EntityID of your ConnectWise Manage instance. (e.g. https://connectwise.example.com)

    • Sign in URL - The link used by your users to access the ConnectWise Manage. (e.g https://connectwise.example.com)

    • Metadata URL - The URL containing metadata about your ConnectWise Manage instance. (e.g https://connectwise.example.com/{release}/auth/{companyId}/metadata)

    connectwise_manage_sp_settings.png

  5. Click Save.

Configure ConnectWise Manage as a Service Provider (SP)

  1. Download the SAML metadata and certificate for your organization from Acceptto. Metadata Download at https://sso.acceptto.com/<myorganization>/saml/download/metadata or view at https://sso.acceptto.com/<myorganization>/saml/metadata

    Certificate Download at https://sso.acceptto.com/<myorganization>/saml/download/cert

  2. Before you begin, ensure that you have an Administrative user in a location that is not subject to the Acceptto MFA. This user will allow you to login back to your instance if there are any issues with the configuration.

  3. Login to your ConnectWise Manage instance and go to System > Authentication:

    connectwise_manage_system_auth.png

  4. Select New SSO Configuration by pressing the “+” control. A new SSO provider configuration screen will be shown.

    connectwise_manage_new_sso.png

  5. Configure the fields using the following data:

    Login URL: Sign-in URL you got earlier from Acceptto. (e.g. https://saml.example.local/saml/auth)

    Identity Provider ID: The originator of the authentication, in line with the above example. (e.g. https://saml.example.local/saml)

    Identity Provider Certificate: Upload the X.509 certificate file you got from Acceptto earlier.

    Location: Select the locations where the newly configured IdP will be used. Remember to exclude the location of at least one Admin so that you may regain access to the instance in case there is a misconfiguration.

    connectwise_manage_sso_config.png

Test your application integration

  1. Access your company’s ConnectWise Manage instance and type a username that is in a location that has SAML enabled. Click Login. Please note that the screen changes to display “Single Sign-On is enabled. Please log in.”

    connectwise_manage_login.png

  2. The user is redirected to the Acceptto SAML page.

    SSO login

  3. After successful authentication, you’ll see the Acceptto MFA options. Select your desired method.

    Select MFA method

  4. Finally, the user will be redirected to the ConnectWise Manage console.

  5. If the login is successful, you can now edit your SAML configuration to add the remaining locations.

    In the unlikely case your instance remains inaccessible please contact ConnectWise Support to unlock access to your instance. Contact Acceptto Support for further assistance with your SAML configuration.

Support

If you have questions or need assistance, contact SecureAuth Support.

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Disclaimer

All product names, trademarks, and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

All company, product, and service names used in this document are for identification purposes only. The use of these names, trademarks, and brands do not constitute an endorsement by the SecureAuth Corporation.

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