Overview
Identity Orchestration is an enterprise control layer that unifies and coordinates identity systems across cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments. It acts as middleware between applications and multiple identity providers, enabling organizations to define authentication and authorization policies once and enforce them consistently everywhere—without modifying applications. Orchestration platforms provide pre-built connectors to identity providers and applications, low-code workflow engines for complex identity flows, and abstraction that decouples identity logic from application code. This capability is essential for organizations navigating multi-IdP environments, M&A integration, or legacy modernization, where the alternative is brittle custom integrations and inconsistent security policies. Identity Orchestration operationalizes Zero Trust by automating continuous verification and adaptive access decisions across heterogeneous identity landscapes.
Architecture & Reference Patterns
Pattern 1: Multi-IdP Routing and Aggregation
The orchestration layer sits between applications and multiple IdPs, routing authentication requests to the appropriate IdP based on user attributes, network location, or application requirements. The application sees a single, consistent identity interface regardless of which IdP authenticated the user. Essential for M&A scenarios, multi-cloud environments, and gradual IdP migrations.
Pattern 2: Authentication Journey Orchestration
Complex authentication flows—combining MFA, adaptive authentication, identity proofing, and step-up—are orchestrated through visual workflow builders rather than code. The orchestration platform executes these journeys, calling out to various services (MFA providers, risk engines, identity verification) and assembling the result. Enables rapid iteration on authentication UX without application changes.
Pattern 3: Legacy Application Identity Bridge
The orchestration layer provides modern identity capabilities (SSO, MFA, OIDC) to legacy applications that only support basic authentication. The platform authenticates users via modern protocols, then translates credentials for legacy backends (header injection, form fill, Kerberos). Extends identity governance to applications that can't be modernized.
Pattern 4: Policy-Driven Access Orchestration
Authorization policies are defined centrally in the orchestration platform and enforced across multiple applications. The platform integrates with PDP services (OPA, Cedar) and applies consistent access decisions regardless of application capabilities. Enables centralized policy management with decentralized enforcement.
Key Decisions
| Decision | Options | Recommendation | Notes / Gotchas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orchestration vendor | Strata Identity, Maverics, Ping DaVinci, custom build | Commercial platform for most; custom only with significant investment | Vendor lock-in risk is real—evaluate migration paths |
| Deployment model | SaaS, self-hosted, hybrid | SaaS for fastest deployment; self-hosted for data residency | Self-hosted increases operational burden |
| IdP abstraction scope | Authentication only, authentication + authorization, full lifecycle | Start with authentication; expand as needed | Full lifecycle orchestration is complex—phase it |
| Workflow complexity | Simple routing, complex journeys, adaptive orchestration | Match complexity to actual requirements | Over-engineering creates maintenance burden |
| Legacy integration approach | Gateway/proxy, agent, custom connector | Gateway for web apps; agents only when required | Agents are operationally painful—avoid if possible |
| Migration strategy | Big bang, phased by app, phased by IdP | Phased by application priority | Big bang migrations fail; plan for coexistence |
Implementation Approach
Phase 0: Discovery
Inputs: Identity infrastructure inventory (all IdPs, directories, applications), authentication flows, pain points, compliance requirements, M&A or migration drivers Outputs: Identity landscape documentation, orchestration use cases prioritized, vendor evaluation criteria, integration complexity assessment, ROI analysis
Phase 1: Design
Inputs: Discovery outputs, selected orchestration platform, security requirements Outputs: Orchestration architecture document, IdP integration design, authentication journey workflows, legacy integration patterns, migration roadmap, success metrics
Phase 2: Build & Integrate
Inputs: Design documents, orchestration platform, pilot IdPs and applications Outputs: Platform deployed and configured, IdP connectors operational, pilot authentication journeys tested, legacy application bridges functional, monitoring configured
Phase 3: Rollout
Inputs: Tested orchestration environment, migration waves, user communication Outputs: Applications migrated to orchestrated authentication in waves, users transitioned smoothly, legacy IdP decommissioning planned, help desk trained, adoption metrics tracked
Phase 4: Operate
Inputs: Production orchestration environment, operational procedures, continuous improvement backlog Outputs: SLA maintained, new applications and IdPs onboarded efficiently, journey optimization based on analytics, platform upgrades managed, vendor relationship maintained
Deliverables
- Identity landscape assessment and documentation
- Orchestration architecture document
- IdP and application integration specifications
- Authentication journey designs (visual workflows)
- Legacy integration patterns and configurations
- Migration plan with application prioritization
- Operational runbooks
- Vendor management and SLA documentation
Risks & Failure Modes
| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Early Signals | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orchestration layer becomes single point of failure | M | H | Availability concerns, near-miss incidents | HA deployment, failover testing, circuit breakers for IdP calls |
| Integration complexity exceeds estimates | H | M | Delayed timelines, connector issues | Thorough discovery, pilot integrations, contingency planning |
| Performance overhead impacts user experience | M | M | Latency complaints, slow authentication | Performance testing, caching, optimize critical paths |
| Vendor lock-in limits future flexibility | M | M | Difficulty adding new IdPs, migration cost estimates | Abstract vendor-specific features, document dependencies |
| Journey complexity creates maintenance burden | M | M | Difficult to modify flows, bugs in complex journeys | Keep journeys simple, document thoroughly, test automation |
| Legacy integration fragility | H | M | Authentication failures, password exposure concerns | Security review of legacy patterns, monitoring, migration priority |
KPIs / Outcomes
- Orchestration platform availability: Target 99.95% uptime
- Authentication latency through orchestration: P95 under 500ms overhead
- Application integration time: Should decrease compared to direct IdP integration
- IdP consolidation: Number of IdPs reduced over time
- Legacy application modernization: Percentage of apps using modern authentication via orchestration
- Operational efficiency: Reduced effort for authentication changes