What Is Just-In-Time (JIT) Provisioning – Source: heimdalsecurity.com

Key Takeaways:

• What Is Just-in-Time (JIT) Provisioning?
• How Does Just-in-Time (JIT) Provisioning Work?
• Key Components of JIT Provisioning Systems
• The Role of SAML SSO in Just-in-Time (JIT) Provisioning
• What Are the Benefits of Just-in-Time (JIT) Provisioning?
• JIT Provisioning vs. JIT Access
• JIT Provisioning vs. JIT Privilege
• Challenges of Just-in-Time Provisoining

What Is Just-in-Time (JIT) Provisioning?

Just-in-Time Provisioning automates the creation and update of user accounts in web applications. It delivers information from an identity provider to web apps via the SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) protocol.

What this means is, that IT administrators no longer have to manually create accounts for each user in every application. With JIT, user accounts are created when users attempt to log in to applications for the first time.

For example, IT admins can automatically grant Hubspot, Zoho, or Salesforce access to all individuals in the sales department, and those accounts are created the first time they try to log in to the platform through their SSO or by a provider-initiated first login.

Imagine JIT Provisioning is like your IT department’s behind-the-scene hero. It’s like having a diligent assistant who anticipates your needs, creating user accounts in various apps precisely when someone logs in for the first time. This approach not only saves valuable time for IT staff but also streamlines the entire process of managing user access, making it a vital tool in modern IT infrastructure.

Bogdan Dolohan, Head of Technical Support, Heimdal®

How Does Just-in-Time Provisioning Work?

Let’s understand the process by using an example of a new employee, Alice, who needs access to the company’s project management system, which is based on Atlassian Jira.

Step 1: Configure Single Sign-On (SSO) connection

Admins set up an SSO connection between the identity provider and the target service provider (web application). They ensure to add required user attributes by configuring the SSO connection.

Example: The IT administrator configures an SSO connection which includes mapping user attributes like name, role, and email required by Jira.

Step 2: Trigger account creation on the first login

When new user attempt to log in to the application for the first time, JIT provisioning automatically triggers the creation of their accounts.

Example: When Alice attempts to log in to Jira for the first time, the system detects that action and triggers the automatic creation of her Jira account.

Step 3: Information exchange via SAML assertions

The identity provider sends necessary information to the service provider through SAML assertions. This ensures that the service or centralized cloud only receives the details required for account creation.

Example: As Alice logs in, the identity provider sends a SAML assertion to Jira, containing information about her role, department, and other relevant details needed for creating her account.

Step 4: Configuration options

Admins can support JIT provisioning through a target service provider, a centralized cloud identity provider, or an SSO provider layered on top of their legacy directory. Configuration considerations include ensuring the service provider offers JIT provisioning.

Example: In Alice’s case, the admin has chosen to implement the provisioning through the company’s centralized cloud provider, Atlassian.

Step 5: SAML assertion request

When a user logs in, the service sends a SAML assertion request, containing all the necessary information for creating a new account, including credentials.

Example: During Alice’s login, Jira sends a SAML assertion request to the identity provider, requesting the required information to set up her account, including username, role, and department.

Step 6: Identity verification and account creation

Here, the user’s identity is verified and the system creates their account based on the information received through the SAML assertion request.

Step 7: Authorization policies

JIT provisioning allows administrators to apply authorization policies centrally, based on user groups or roles. For instance, a new developer logging in will automatically receive all permissions associated with the Developer role.

Example: As part of the process, Alice, being a project manager, is automatically granted specific project management permissions in Jira based on her assigned role.

Key Components of JIT Provisioning Systems

The key components typically include:

1. Identity Provider (IdP): The central component responsible for authenticating users and providing necessary information to the service providers for account provisioning.
2. Service Providers (SP): The web applications that receive user information from the identity provider and use it to create or update user accounts.
3. SSO Protocol: The communication protocol facilitates secure user authentication and information exchange between the identity and service providers.
4. Cloud Identity Provider (Optional): A centralized cloud-based solution that may serve as the identity provider, allowing easy management of user access and permissions.
5. Authorization policies: Rules or criteria set by administrators that determine user access and permissions based on roles.

The Role of SAML SSO in Just-in-Time (JIT) Provisioning

SAML SSO can happen in two ways: Identity Provider (IDP) initiated or Service Provider (SP) initiated.

In IDP-initiated SSO, users start by logging into their SSO, where they can access all configured applications. For SP-initiated SSO, users first visit the application and are then redirected to their SSO portal.

SAML prioritizes security. Instead of sending user credentials, it transmits XML-based certificates unique to each application.

This means that service providers never receive or store credentials, ensuring a secure and privacy-conscious authentication process.

Integrating SAML SSO with JIT Provisioning

Let’s break down how SAML SSO works in Just-In-Time (JIT) provisioning:

• Authentication: SAML SSO ensures that when new users try to log in to a service, the system checks and confirms their identity.
• Token generation: After proving who you are, a SAML token is created, like a virtual ID card, with details about you, such as your identity, attributes, and permissions.
• Information exchange: This token becomes a secure way to swap information, making sure the necessary details are included.
• JIT Provisioning trigger: The SAML token acts as a trigger when you log in for the first time. Instead of creating your account beforehand, JIT provisioning uses details from the SAML token to make or update your account on the spot.
• Attributes mapping: SAML SSO lets your identity and service provider compare notes about you, ensuring that the right information is correctly shared.
• SSO experience: SAML SSO allows you to access many services without having to log in every time. Once authenticated, you’re good to go.
• Standardized protocol: SAML sets a common set of rules for proving who you are and what you can access. This helps different identity providers and service providers work together smoothly.

With SAML SSO, new users only need to enter their credentials once for a session, getting them into all the apps they require.

Benefits of SAML SSO in JIT Environments

Some key benefits of SAML SSO in JIT environments include:

• SAML SSO simplifies access, letting new users log in once for seamless entry into multiple applications.
• JIT environments benefit from automated onboarding and swift access revocation.
• SSO with SAML reduces password management, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access.
• Admins can efficiently control user permissions and roles from a central point.
• The smooth login experience enhances productivity, allowing users to focus on their work without disruptions.

What Are the Benefits of Just-in-Time (JIT) Provisioning?

Efficient onboarding

It automates the user account creation process, making onboarding more efficient by instantly providing new user access when needed.

Reduced manual workload

IT operations teams are relieved from the manual provisioning of creating and managing user accounts, allowing them to save time and focus on more strategic tasks.

JIT Provisioning isn’t just a time-saving tool; it’s a strategic asset for organizations. By automating account creation, it frees up IT staff to focus on more critical aspects of their roles. Also, it enhances security by reducing the risk of multiple passwords and accounts, thereby preventing potential security breaches and maintaining a high standard of data protection.

Bogdan Dolohan, Head of Technical Support, Heimdal®

Enhanced security

Users are less likely to create unnecessary accounts, contributing to a more secure environment, as the system ensures that accounts are created only when users attempt to log in for the first time.

Streamlined access

Users gain access to applications seamlessly, reducing friction and providing a smoother login experience through the SSO portal or other authentication methods.

Flexible integration with IAM solutions

JIT provisioning can be integrated with Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions, offering a more comprehensive approach to user management, addressing challenges such as offboarding, and ensuring a cohesive security strategy.

JIT Provisioning vs. JIT Access

JIT Access:

Overview: JIT Access is a security method that allows approved users temporary privileged access.

Purpose: Administrators leverage JIT Access to precisely monitor and control access to sensitive resources.

JIT Provisioning:

Overview: Dynamically registers a user during their initial login, presenting a different approach than JIT Access.

Purpose: The primary goal is to reduce administrative workload by automating registration.

While JIT Provisioning focuses on streamlining the creation of user accounts, JIT Privilege plays a different, yet crucial role. It’s about providing time-sensitive, elevated access to users for specific tasks, ensuring that sensitive resources are only accessible when necessary. This targeted approach to access management is essential for maintaining tight security controls in dynamic IT environments.

Bogdan Dolohan, Head of Technical Support, Heimdal®

JIT Provisioning vs. JIT Privilege

JIT Provisioning:

Overview: Dynamically registers an individual during their initial login, streamlining the onboarding process.

Purpose: It primarily focuses on reducing administrative workload by automating account registration.

JIT Privilege:

Overview: JIT Privilege is a security strategy granting temporary privileged access to authorized users when needed.

Purpose: The primary goal is to provide time-bound privileged access, enhancing controlled access to sensitive resources.

While JIT Provisioning focuses on streamlining the creation of user accounts, JIT Privilege it’s about providing time-sensitive, elevated access to users for specific tasks, ensuring that sensitive resources are only accessible when necessary. This targeted approach to access management is essential for maintaining tight security controls in dynamic IT environments.

Bogdan Dolohan, Head of Technical Support, Heimdal®

Challenges of Just-in-Time Provisioning

Dependency on SAML

JIT provisioning depends on the Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) protocol, and any disruptions or complexities within SAML can impact the provisioning process.

Limited user assignment control

Users in certain systems, such as project management systems, may only be assigned after their initial login, limiting control over user assignment.

Challenges with offboarding

JIT provisioning may lack automated offboarding and account revocation features, making it challenging to immediately deactivate access for users who no longer need it.

Complexity of XML-based structure

Since SAML is XML-based, it inherits XML’s complexity, which could pose potential challenges in terms of readability and ease of integration.

Potential for SSO disruption

Being part of the SAML protocol, JIT provisioning is susceptible to disruptions in Single Sign-On (SSO), which could impact the overall authentication experience.

Dependency on the right IAM solution

The effectiveness of JIT provisioning tends to depend heavily on implementing the right Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution. A mismatch could limit its capabilities.

Implementing JIT can be a complex task, especially when it comes to compatibility across diverse IT systems. The key to overcoming these challenges lies in selecting the right technology partners and maintaining vigilant oversight of the provisioning process. Regular system audits and updates can help companies stay ahead of potential issues, ensuring a smooth and secure JIT implementation.

Bogdan Dolohan, Head of Technical Support, Heimdal®

Manage Access Easily With Heimdal®

Choosing the right tools can make the difference between effective and ineffective access management practices.

Without modern privileged access management (PAM) tools and taking into consideration the huge number of applications and endpoints in a company, organizations are almost guaranteed lose track of what accounts they have and what sensitive assets they have access to. Heimdal®’s PAM solution for example will help your company by:

• Automatically scanning and identifying all privileged accounts;
• Enabling just-in-time access to avoid standing privileges;
• Identifying and removing all hard-coded credentials;
• Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), one-time passwords, digital tokens, and other security protections;
• Accessing ongoing monitoring and behavioral analytics to shut down suspicious behavior.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

1. How many types of Just-in-Time Access are there? 

Key JIT types include:

• Justification-Based Access: Users justify privileged access, granted for a limited period, with managed, rotated credentials in a central vault.
• Ephemeral Accounts: Temporary accounts offer limited access for specific tasks, reducing long-term risks and automatically disabling or deleting after use.
• Privilege Elevation: Users request higher access, approved for a task’s duration, reducing critical system exposure by removing access after completion.

2. How easy is it to move to a Just-in-Time model?

Some basic first steps make the transition relatively easy. To start with, ensure to vault and manage all default built-in credentials such as Administrator, Root, SA, etc. Then concentrate on your users and the access they have.

3. What should we concentrate on after Just-in-Time for workloads and servers?

The first stage usually involves servers and workloads. After that, you should consider reducing standing access to applications both on-prem and SaaS, consoles, and CLIs.