Ping Identity is a leading provider of federated identity management solutions, delivering secure internet single sign-on (SSO) software and services to more than 300 companies worldwide. Ping Identity helps companies address compliance concerns for Google Enterprise deployments and provides standards-based SSO support for Google Apps, Google Search Appliance and Google Security and Compliance (Postini).
SURFnet is the organization that develops, implements and maintains the national research and education network (NREN) for the Netherlands. SURFnet was established in 1986 and is a subsidiary of the SURF organization, in which Dutch universities and research centers collaborate on innovative Information and Communication Technology facilities.
Challenges
Shortly after it was established, SURFnet developed a propriety solution for internet SSO. Over time, as larger numbers of entities joined, building out the proprietary solution became too time intensive and costly. SURFnet needed standards-based internet SSO that could integrate with a variety of existing internet SSO implementations, could be deployed quickly, and could support connections to Google Apps and other web-based applications.
Solution
SURFnet chose PingFederate for its proven ability to eliminate passwords by delivering standards-based SSO that supports a wide range of protocols, its short deployment time (operation in days), and its ability to scale as SURFnet’s interface and application access requirements change and expand.
Results
The PingFederate interface was implemented in days. Cross-federation connections are now deployed in a matter of hours with virtually no management overhead. The multi-protocol gateway currently supports internet SSO connections for 30 entities with a total user population of more than 350,000.
“PingFederate has delivered tremendous value to the identity federation service provided by NREN,” said Hans Zandbelt, Manager Middleware Services, SURFnet. “This includes support for connections to Google Apps.”
