Scalable Single Sign-On Architecture: Securing Access in Large Enterprise Systems

Abstract

As organizations evolve into complex, multi-application environments, the need for robust identity and access management (IAM) systems becomes critical. Single Sign-On (SSO) has emerged as a foundational element in enhancing user experience, ensuring compliance, and safeguarding enterprise data. This paper explores the design and implementation of a secure and scalable SSO architecture tailored for Oracle E-Business Suite R12.2 environments, leveraging Okta’s rapid configuration model as a cost-effective and efficient solution. Unlike traditional Oracle middleware-based approaches using OID, OAM, OVD, and IDMS, which incur significant licensing and operational overhead, Okta offers cloud-native, standards-compliant integration with modern identity providers. The paper presents a comparative analysis of both models, identifies key security requirements, and provides a detailed architectural blueprint for deploying SSO with Okta in large-scale enterprise scenarios. Scalability, fault tolerance, user provisioning, and compliance considerations are addressed, supported by real-world data, performance metrics, architectural diagrams, and security models. The study demonstrates that Okta-based SSO not only reduces implementation complexity and cost but also delivers high availability, rapid deployment, and seamless user experience, making it a strategic choice for organizations undergoing digital transformation.