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Okta enables developers to create unlimited platform integrations
Wed, 3rd Apr 2019
FYI, this story is more than a year old

Identity services provider Okta has announced Okta Hooks, a new functionality of the Okta Identity Cloud that enables developers to create unlimited custom integrations for the Okta Integration Network.

From adding identity proofing and verification into consumer registration decisions to automating IT Service Management actions, Okta Hooks delivers advanced integration options by providing significant latitude for developers to customise and extend the reach and breadth of the Okta Identity Cloud.

Okta Hooks is available in Early Access today.

The role identity plays in how developers create tailored, omnichannel customer experiences has expanded dramatically.

But securing and customising a central identity service within the context of a distributed, microservices architecture or an IT environment creates significant challenges for both developers and IT.

Developers need to have the ability to modify identity policy or workflow, and integrate to any number of (marketing technology) martech, CRM, ERP, HR or other business systems and processes, without taking on the security and resource burdens that come with an entirely custom-built identity and access management system.

Unlocking extensibility with Okta Hooks

Okta Hooks gives developers the power to add custom logic to the Okta Identity Cloud to extend the capabilities of the platform.

Developers can leverage external context to modify workflows within the Okta platform while still maintaining high degrees of control, visibility, and security.

Developers can extend Okta workflows with custom code or integrate third-party services, all triggered by key events within the Okta Identity Cloud including registration, authentication, and authorisation.

The result is a more flexible and extensible identity management experience, enabling enterprises to deliver customised, seamless user experiences while maintaining security. Additionally, Okta Hooks creates an entirely new form of integration within the Okta Integration Network, enabling developers, partners, and customers to rapidly develop purpose-built logic that extends the Okta Identity Cloud in new and exciting ways.

“Okta has always delivered out-of-the-box security and simplicity to enable customers to stay focused on bringing innovative technology to market or to their workforces,” says Okta Chief executive officer and co-founder Todd McKinnon.

“Okta Hooks combines our turnkey identity and access management with the power to securely add custom code required to meet the ever-changing needs of today's applications and workflows. Whether adding identity proofing or martech services to B2C or

B2B applications, or automating and integrating workforce-facing systems and processes, Okta Hooks offers developers myriad possibilities to create seamless digital experiences.

  • Potential developer customisations made possible using Okta Hooks include:
  • Enrol new users into email marketing campaigns using Event Hooks
  • Identity proof or validate a registering user using Registration Inline Hooks
  • Incorporate attributes from external databases for authorisation using SAML and Token Inline Hooks
  • Enrich profile information from HR or CRM systems with Import Inline Hooks
  • Automate IT Service Management using Event Hooks

ThoughtWorks TechOps technology head Phil Ibarrola says, “The introduction of Okta Hooks has enabled us to seamlessly incorporate identity events triggered by Okta into our existing event-driven architecture.

“We are excited for all the possibilities this opens up for tackling more complex workflows and elaborate integration scenarios.

In the future, Okta expects the recently-announced Azuqua acquisition will provide a no-code capability so that non-developers can build Hooks integrations as well.

Okta Hooks is available in Early Access starting today as a new core function of the Okta Identity Cloud.

Hooks will be included in existing Okta products.