Differences Between SSWS API Tokens and OAuth 2.0 Access Tokens for the Okta Management API
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API Access Management
Okta Classic Engine
Okta Identity Engine
Overview
An API Token (SSWS) and an OAuth 2.0 access token provide different ways to access the Okta Management API. The differences include variations in security, lifecycle management, and scoping between the two authentication methods. Okta recommends using OAuth 2.0 as these tokens can be more narrowly scoped and are short lived, allowing for increased security.
Applies To
- Okta Identity Engine (OIE)
- Okta Classic Engine
- Okta Management API
- API Access Management
- OAuth 2.0
Solution
What are the differences between an API Token and an OAuth 2.0 Access Token?
The differences between an API Token and an OAuth 2.0 Access Token lie in their security models, token lifecycles, and user associations.
- Security Model
- API Token (SSWS): These static, long-lived tokens inherit the permissions of the administrator who creates them. If an administrator has Super Admin privileges, the token also possesses those privileges.
- OAuth 2.0 Access Token: These short-lived, scoped tokens adhere to the principle of least privilege by granting access only to the specific scopes defined in the application.
- Token Lifecycle and Rotation
- API Token (SSWS): These tokens do not expire automatically unless unused for 30 days. Rotating them requires a manual process that involves generating a new token and updating all integrations, which causes downtime.
- OAuth 2.0 Access Token: These tokens have a limited lifespan of one hour and support automatic rotation. The application requests a new token using a refresh token or client credentials without manual intervention.
- Association and Dependency
- API Token (SSWS): The token links directly to a specific user account. If the user account becomes inactive or its permissions change, the token stops working or changes its access level immediately.
- OAuth 2.0 Access Token: The token is associated with a service application, obtained via the Client Credentials grant rather than by an end user. Service applications operate independently of individual user lifecycles, ensuring that automation continues to function when an administrator leaves the organization.
