Okta Access Gateway (OAG) is a reverse proxy-based virtual application specifically designed to provide secure and seamless access for external users to on-premises web applications, eliminating the need for traditional Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). It acts as a bridge, enabling modern identity management solutions to integrate with and protect legacy applications.
Key Capabilities and Benefits
OAG serves as a critical component in hybrid IT environments, extending the reach of cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) to applications hosted within an organization's private network.
- Reverse Proxy Architecture: As a reverse proxy, OAG intercepts requests from external users, authenticates them, and then securely forwards those requests to the internal web applications. This architecture provides a layer of security and control.
- Integration with Legacy Applications: A core strength of OAG is its ability to integrate with older, "legacy" applications that may not natively support modern authentication protocols. It achieves this by using methods such as:
- HTTP Headers: Injecting user identity information directly into HTTP request headers.
- Kerberos Tokens: Utilizing Kerberos for single sign-on (SSO) within Windows environments.
- URL-Based Authentication: OAG supports URL-based authentication, offering flexibility in how specific application paths or resources can be secured and accessed.
- Secure Remote Access Without VPN: One of its most significant advantages is enabling external users to access internal, web-based applications without requiring them to connect via a traditional VPN. Since OAG is deployed behind the corporate firewall, it securely brokers access, simplifying the user experience and reducing the operational overhead associated with VPN management. This makes it ideal for contractors, partners, or remote employees needing specific application access.
- Enhanced Security: By centralizing access through OAG, organizations can apply consistent security policies, enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA), and monitor access to on-premises resources, all managed through the Okta identity platform.
How Okta Access Gateway Works
When an external user attempts to access an on-premises web application protected by OAG:
- The user's request first goes to the Okta identity platform for primary authentication.
- Once authenticated by Okta, the request is then directed to the Okta Access Gateway, which is situated behind the firewall.
- OAG validates the user's session with Okta and then transforms the identity information (e.g., into HTTP headers or Kerberos tokens) in a way the legacy application can understand.
- The request is then securely forwarded to the target on-premises web application.
- The application processes the request, and the response is routed back through OAG to the user.
This process ensures that internal applications are never directly exposed to the internet, while external users gain seamless, secure access through a modern, cloud-driven identity layer.
