Feb 10, 2025The Hacker NewsIdentity Security / Data ProtectionGiven Okta's role as a critical part of identity infrastructure, strengthening Okta security is essential. This article covers six key Okta security settings that provide a strong starting point, along with recommendations for implementing continuous monitoring of your Okta security posture.With over 18,000 customers, Okta serves as the cornerstone of identity governance and security for organizations worldwide. However, this prominence has made it a prime target for cybercriminals who seek access to valuable corporate identities, applications, and sensitive data. Recently, Okta warned its customers of an increase in phishing social engineering attempts to impersonate Okta support personnel.Given Okta's role as a critical part of identity infrastructure, strengthening Okta security is essential. This article covers six key Okta security settings that provide a strong starting point, along with how continuous monitoring of your Okta security posture helps you avoid misconfigurations and identity risks.Let's examine six essential Okta security configurations that every security practitioner should monitor:1. Password PoliciesStrong password policies are foundational to any identity security posture program. Okta allows administrators to enforce robust password requirements including:Minimum length and complexity requirementsPassword history and age restrictionsCommon password checks to prevent easily guessable passwordsTo configure password requirements in Okta: Navigate to Security > Authentication > Password Settings in the Okta Admin Console.2. Phishing-Resistant 2FA EnforcementWith phishing attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated, implementing phishing-resistant two-factor authentication on Okta accounts is crucial, especially for privileged admin accounts. Okta supports various strong authentication methods including:WebAuthn/FIDO2 security keysBiometric authenticationOkta Verify with device trustTo configure MFA factors: Go to Security > Multifactor > Factor Enrollment > Edit > Set factor to required, optional, or disabled.Also, to enforce MFA for all admin console users, refer to this Okta help doc.3. Okta ThreatInsightOkta ThreatInsight leverages machine learning to detect and block suspicious authentication attempts. This feature:Identifies and blocks malicious IP addressesPrevents credential stuffing attacksReduces the risk of account takeoversTo configure: Enable ThreatInsight under Security > General > Okta ThreatInsight settings. For more, refer to this Okta help doc.4. Admin Session ASN BindingThis security feature helps prevent session hijacking by binding administrative sessions to specific Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). When enabled:Admin sessions are tied to the original ASN used during authenticationSession attempts from different ASNs are blockedRisk of unauthorized admin access is significantly reducedTo configure: Access Security > General > Admin Session Settings and enable ASN Binding.5. Session Lifetime SettingsProperly configured session lifetimes help minimize the risk of unauthorized access through abandoned or hijacked sessions. Consider implementing:Short session timeouts for highly privileged accountsMaximum session lengths based on risk levelAutomatic session termination after periods of inactivityTo configure: Navigate to Security > Authentication > Session Settings to adjust session lifetime parameters.6. Behavior RulesOkta behavior rules provide an extra layer of security by:Detecting anomalous user behavior patternsTriggering additional authentication steps when suspicious activity is detectedAllowing customized responses to potential security threatsTo configure: Access Security > Behavior Detection Rules to set up and customize behavior-based security policies.How SSPM (SaaS Security Posture Management) can helpOkta offers HealthInsight which provides security monitoring and posture recommendations to help customers maintain strong Okta security. But, maintaining optimal security across your entire SaaS infrastructureincluding Oktabecomes increasingly complex as your organization grows. This is where SaaS Security Posture Management (SSPM) solutions provide significant value:Continuous centralized monitoring of security configurations for critical SaaS apps like Okta to detect misalignments and drift away from security best practicesAutomated assessment of user privileges and access patterns to identify potential security risksDetection of app-to-app integrations like marketplace apps, API keys, service accounts, OAuth grants, and other non-human identities with access to critical SaaS apps and dataReal-time alerts for security configuration changes that could impact your organization's security postureStreamlined compliance reporting and documentation of security controlsSSPM solutions can automatically detect common Okta security misconfigurations such as:Weak password policies that don't meet industry standardsDisabled or improperly configured multi-factor authentication settingsExcessive administrative privileges or unused admin accountsMisconfigured session timeout settings that could leave accounts vulnerableBy implementing a robust SaaS security and governance solution with advanced SSPM capabilities, organizations can maintain continuous visibility into their Okta security posture as well as other critical SaaS infrastructure and quickly remediate any issues that arise. This proactive approach to security helps prevent potential breaches before they occur and ensures that security configurations remain optimized over time.Start a free 14-day trial of Nudge Security to start improving your Okta security posture and your overall SaaS security posture today.Found this article interesting? This article is a contributed piece from one of our valued partners. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE