How To Use Sso Authentication In Postman

Understanding SSO Authentication in Postman

Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication offers a simplified and secure way to access multiple applications using a single set of credentials. When testing APIs that utilize SSO, Postman provides a powerful framework for simulating this authentication process.

Setting up SSO Authentication in Postman

Postman offers several methods to handle SSO authentication, each with its own advantages:

1. Using Environment Variables

Environment variables allow you to store and manage sensitive information, like SSO tokens, securely. This approach is particularly beneficial for storing and reusing credentials across multiple requests.

• Create a new environment: In Postman, navigate to the “Environments” tab and click “Add”.
• Define variables: Define variables for your SSO token and any other relevant parameters. For example:

  {
    "id": "My SSO Environment",
    "values": [
      {
        "key": "sso_token",
        "value": "YOUR_SSO_TOKEN",
        "type": "string",
        "enabled": true
      },
      {
        "key": "sso_url",
        "value": "YOUR_SSO_URL",
        "type": "string",
        "enabled": true
      }
    ]
  }

• Utilize variables in requests: Use the {{ }} syntax to access environment variables in your requests. For example:

  Authorization: Bearer {{sso_token}}

• Manage environments: Switch between environments for different test scenarios and easily manage your SSO credentials.

2. Using Pre-request Scripts

Pre-request scripts are JavaScript code snippets that run before each request is sent. They allow for dynamic manipulation of request data, including authentication details.

• Create a new script: In your request, click the “Pre-request Script” tab.

• Write your script: For example, to send a request to your SSO provider and retrieve an access token, you can use:

  var response = pm.sendRequest({
    "url": "YOUR_SSO_AUTH_URL",
    "method": "POST",
    "body": {
      "username": "YOUR_USERNAME",
      "password": "YOUR_PASSWORD" // Replace with your password
    }
  });
  
  pm.environment.set("sso_token", response.json().accessToken); // Store the token in the environment

• Use the token: Utilize the sso_token variable in your request headers.

3. Using Authentication Plugins

Postman offers a marketplace for various plugins that simplify SSO authentication. Plugins like “Auth0” and “Okta” automatically manage login processes.

• Install the plugin: Search and install the desired plugin from the Postman marketplace.
• Configure the plugin: Provide your SSO provider details and any necessary settings.
• Use the plugin: The plugin will handle login and inject authentication tokens into your requests automatically.

Example: Using Pre-request Script for SSO Authentication

Scenario: We need to access a protected API that requires authentication through an SSO provider.

Steps:

1. Setup: Obtain your SSO provider URL and authentication endpoint.
2. Create a new request: Create a new request for your protected API endpoint.
3. Add a Pre-request Script:

   var response = pm.sendRequest({
     "url": "YOUR_SSO_AUTH_URL",
     "method": "POST",
     "body": {
       "username": "YOUR_USERNAME",
       "password": "YOUR_PASSWORD"
     }
   });
   
   pm.environment.set("sso_token", response.json().accessToken);

4. **Set the Authorization Header:** In the request headers, add:

Authorization: Bearer {{sso_token}}

5. **Run the request:** Execute your request and observe the response.

**Explanation:**

- The script sends a request to the SSO provider to authenticate using your credentials.
- The response from the SSO provider contains an access token, which is then stored in the environment variable `sso_token`.
- The Authorization header in the API request uses the stored `sso_token` for authentication.

### Best Practices for SSO Authentication in Postman

- **Keep credentials secure:** Do not hardcode sensitive information like passwords into your scripts. Utilize environment variables or secure storage methods.
- **Utilize appropriate authentication methods:** Choose the most suitable approach based on your SSO provider's requirements and your testing needs.
- **Document your setup:** Create clear documentation outlining the steps involved in setting up and using SSO authentication in Postman.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively simulate and test API endpoints that utilize SSO authentication in Postman, ensuring consistent and reliable quality for your applications.


[![API Testing Blog](https://media.dev.to/cdn-cgi/image/width=1000,height=420,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fd21un91j9lx3sfuf264a.png)](https://apidog.com)