Okta Platform

My previous company did purchase Okta Platform  through the AWS Marketplace . When I was in Smarsh, they bought it from the AWS Marketplace  and were using the Single Sign-On  option with multi-factor authentication to ensure that whenever we tried to log into a system such as Bosch or Concur, the login happened via Okta Platform . Smarsh was primarily using Okta Platform via the AWS Marketplace, whereas  in my current organization is not using Okta Platform from AWS  services. We have purchased it directly from the vendor.

In our case, the main use cases for Okta Platform include a Central Identity Provider where multiple SaaS tools are utilized along with many internal apps we have. We configured a Single Sign-On  option for everything, eliminating the need for users to remember different logins and information. This was something we configured in Smarsh, where a single login ensured that we were able to log in via Okta Platform only instead of doing individual logins for each screen. Every SSO login used one username and password for the SSO login, followed by an authentication layer. Based on the three-factor authentication combining username, password, and authentication, we were able to perform proper sign-in. This serves primarily for our multiple SaaS tools we have in our organization, as well as certain internal apps we are using.

In our architecture, Okta Platform helps secure access to cloud infrastructure, APIs, and containerized workloads. We have not integrated GenAI in Okta Platform right now, but we have integrated it for our AWS  services, which has resulted in positive outcomes. After implementing proper user authentication, we can segregate user access effectively and also trace any malicious or bad actors in the company. Previously, we relied on common credentials for specific tasks, which resulted in downtime. Because of this, we introduced Okta Platform. We were using manual sign-ins with usernames, but when SSO was introduced, it made our lives easier.

We are a FinTech company, and Okta Platform helps us address compliance and regulatory requirements effectively. There are numerous statutory regulations we have to follow, especially when dealing with finance customers such as larger banks, who have specific requirements to fulfill. Okta Platform has significantly aided us in this area as we can track each user, monitoring what they do and even obtaining their geolocation. For banking and finance purposes, it has proven to be very beneficial. Although I am not involved in healthcare or any other domain, I work solely in FinTech.

The best features of Okta Platform include Single Sign-On, which we have utilized. Beyond that, multi-factor authentication has been beneficial. User Lifecycle Management is also a key feature where everything is managed via Okta Platform itself, allowing us multiple ways to set policies and automate provisioning. We can onboard both customers and employees to our internal organization through this.

Based on my use case, I was more involved in the team that managed Okta Platform for other teams. One problem we previously faced was multiple users coming to us with different forgot password issues, as we had an administrator sign-on for the forgot password situation. Before Okta Platform, all our logins were fragmented, leading to a lot of manual toil. After implementing Okta Platform with centralized authentication and policy enforcement on top of the existing sign-in approach, our workflow has become much easier. The best part is that manual toil has almost vanished.

Since implementing Okta Platform, we have noticed measurable security and operational improvements in our cloud-based workloads. The best part is it is very easy to integrate as it has a huge app catalog which streamlines the integration process. I have never encountered issues with failed sign-ins due to external factors. As for our security posture, with MFA enabled, we have significantly reduced the common credential problems we previously faced. Because of all this, we ensure our security positioning meets all compliance standards, and whatever protocols are necessary are followed. Overall, from a security standpoint, it provides a better approach. With its extensive app catalog, integration is seamless; you just purchase it from the vendor and incorporate it into your system.

For Okta Platform to improve, I would suggest enhancing debugging for SAML, as we have faced issues using OIDC or SAML without any user-side tools to identify what is happening. This has become a significant challenge, particularly with SAML logins in the context of AWS usage. If the debugging process is made easier, it would greatly improve our experience. I also find the initial policy setup complex, as it can be a nightmare given its intricacy. Although I do not handle it personally from start to finish, I recall those complicated days vividly.

Okta Platform usage has been around four years in Smarsh and one and a half years at my current organization, totaling approximately five years.

I have not experienced any downtimes or crashes. The only issue arises during SAML errors, which are tough to debug, but overall, I have not seen any downtime. When I check Okta Platform uptime, it seems to be above two nines.

Throughout my experience, I have never noticed any downtime. Reliability is paramount, especially since I work as a Site Reliability Engineer, so both reliability and availability factors are critical. Okta Platform scales efficiently, and I have consistently observed its performance as quite fast, but my experience is only with the cloud solution.

I have not utilized customer service and technical support much. My experience shows that it should be satisfactory. We received helpful responses and resolutions for the few questions we directed to them.

Before choosing Okta Platform, we evaluated Azure  where we use Microsoft Intune  to register our devices. This alternative is also relatively cheaper for us since it is bundled with Microsoft services and has provided better ROI, but we still use Okta Platform for its effectiveness. We have a partnership with Microsoft in our organization, and they also sell out product in their marketplace. Okta Platform's sign-in features are especially good, offering proper pop-ups when signing in and providing easier access compared to Azure  currently.

Before choosing Okta Platform, we mostly used manual logins for everything at my previous service company. When I joined Smarsh, they utilized Okta Platform logins exclusively. We even used shared credentials because we were more of a startup. As the company grew, we adopted Okta Platform based on an architecture suggestion, and this was integrated into our system smoothly without issues. In my current organization, we are using Microsoft login instead of Azure, but both solutions function similarly. However, I find Okta Platform preferable for Mac users.

My experience with the deployment of Okta Platform indicates it is very easy to integrate; however, the configuration of policies is quite complex. We had to troubleshoot SAML assertion issues during quite a bit of integration, which was painful. The token expiration and refresh process also require careful handling as we faced numerous token expiration notifications through Slack.

The initial setup process can feel overwhelming since while integrating Okta Platform is easy with the existing catalog, the complexity arises during policy configuration, which requires extensive research and adjustments. This is something that often feels problematic. Aside from that, the cloud solution integrates relatively smoothly; most challenges arise from policy settings.

We did not use an integrator, reseller, or consultant for the integration process. Our internal team performed most integrations with minimal external assistance, relying primarily on the documentation provided after purchasing the solution. The documentation is straightforward and manageable, and we only needed to contact the support team a couple of times with questions. Overall, it was not a major issue.

If I want to quantify the return on investment with Okta Platform, I have certain metrics. It has reduced our login-related support tickets significantly, providing us with better visibility and reducing manual toil, which has almost been eliminated. Previously, we conducted numerous audits, but now the admin UI provides all necessary details about what, where, and how events occurred. Employee onboarding used to be a major pain point, but the automation Okta Platform provides for creating user accounts across various apps or SaaS tools has made our life much easier. Audit processes have also become simpler, especially in finance where compliance is critical. This is something most people experience with Okta Platform; it undoubtedly has a positive impact.

Okta Platform is expensive. At scale, Okta Platform is costly. There is no question about that. However, I feel it offers quality. While it is not entirely justified, it is somewhere between 70-80% justified in terms of pricing.

Okta Platform is a good solution to discuss. When advising other companies considering Okta Platform, I recommend analyzing the cost first, as it is a critical metric. For organizations with a large user base, it is essential to explore and understand potential expenses associated with Okta Platform. The pricing can be quite high for large-scale usage, so expenses should be considered carefully before committing to Okta Platform. Services are generally good, and no product is flawless, so there will be notable strengths and weaknesses to consider, such as token and SAML troubleshooting issues. With our company's tuned MFA, we have alleviated many issues, but without it, problems can arise for several employees. Okta Platform is not deployed on-premise; everything is on the cloud. I would rate this review as an 8 out of 10.

Public Cloud

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

What do you like best about the product?

I like that Okta is super intuitive and easy to set up, so you don't need a degree to test it out. It integrates with a ton of popular software, making it very flexible. It's also really helpful for tracking when people log in and do their work, plus it makes giving access to licenses like Salesforce a breeze.

What do you dislike about the product?

Okta is incredibly slow, and it asks you for a login pretty much all the time. Even after you've logged in, it sometimes asks you to log in again, which can be a little bit frustrating for people who use it.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

I use Okta to enable secure logins, manage access to sensitive platforms, and track work activities. It simplifies giving access to licenses, making setup intuitive and integration easy with other software.

What do you like best about the product?

What I like most about Okta is how it streamlines identity and access management across multiple applications. The single sign-on (SSO) feature is particularly useful because it lets users securely access all their tools with one login, which saves time and helps reduce password fatigue. I also appreciate its strong security options, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), which add an extra layer of protection without making the overall experience feel complicated. On top of that, Okta integrates easily with a broad range of cloud and on-premise applications, making it a flexible and scalable choice for growing organizations.

What do you dislike about the product?

One drawback of Okta is that its pricing can be relatively high, particularly for small businesses or startups working with limited budgets. The initial setup and configuration may also feel complex if you’re not already familiar with identity management concepts, which can mean extra time to get everything right or the need for expert support. From time to time, users may run into minor delays or login issues during outages, and that can affect access to multiple connected applications at once. In addition, the customization available for certain workflows or UI elements can feel somewhat limited, especially when compared with more developer-focused solutions.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

Okta addresses the core challenge of managing user identities, authentication, and access across multiple applications and systems in a secure, centralized way. Rather than dealing with separate logins, passwords, and access controls for every tool, Okta consolidates everything into a single platform.

What do you like best about the product?

Simple and well supported. Tons of documentation and easy use.

What do you dislike about the product?

Nothing. It is very well refined and a pleasure to use.

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

A fully managed auth solution with unlimited apps and quick to add new ones.

What do you like best about the product?

I like most some its features as single sign on, MFA in one place, improving both security and user experience

What do you dislike about the product?

nothing bad experiences so far, everything is good on my end

What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?

it reduces password issues, improves security, and saves time by making user access and onboarding/offboarding much easier to manage.