CERTIFICATE-BASED DEVICE TRUST FOR SSO

Identity + Device + Risk = Secure SSO Access

EAP-TLS validates both user and device at authentication, using your IdP, MDM, or hardware tokens. No domain controllers, cached passwords, or scripts to manage.

THE NEXT LAYER OF SSO SECURITY

Close the Gaps SSO Alone Can't Cover

Passwords, push fatigue, unmanaged devices, and shared accounts all weaken SSO. SecureW2 eliminates these risks with certificate-backed trust at both identity and device levels.

IDENTITY PROTECTION

No more password reuse or unmanaged apps

Certificates replace passwords across applications, removing the risk of weak or recycled credentials.

ENDPOINT SECURITY

Device validation at login

Each authentication checks device state and certificate validity, blocking unmanaged or compromised endpoints.

RESILIENT AUTHENTICATION

Stronger protection against MFA fatigue

Certificates establish trust without relying on endless push notifications users may approve under pressure.

ACCOUNT INTEGRITY

Individual credentials instead of shared accounts

Each user and device receives unique certificates, eliminating static shared logins that bypass SSO controls.

Certificate-based device trust completes SSO security

A Fundamental Shift in Approach

The certificate-based approach eliminates these tradeoffs by fundamentally changing how identity and device trust work together:

STRONGER SSO STARTS WITH DEVICE TRUST

Make Device Trust a Core Part of Your Identity Strategy

SecureW2 binds certificates to both user and device. Using EAP-TLS with Dynamic SCEP and ACME DA, certificates act as living trust objects, updated with signals from Okta, OneLogin, Entra ID, and your security stack.
User Login
  • IAM authentication via SAML/OIDC
  • MDM device posture validation
  • EDR/XDR risk check via webhook
App Access
  • Certificate-gated SSO
  • EAP-TLS & mTLS enforcement
  • Continuous audit trail
Automated Lifecycle

End-to-end automation with Dynamic SCEP and ACME DA. Issuance, renewal, and revocation without manual scripting.

Living Trust Objects

Certificates act as continuous trust anchors, adapting to identity (IdP), device posture (MDM/EDR), and risk updates.

Stack-Aware Enforcement

Deep integration with Okta, OneLogin, and Entra ID. Enforcement via EAP-TLS and mTLS with continuous policy feedback.

Immediate Security Improvements

This architectural shift delivers concrete security improvements you can measure immediately:

BUILT FOR SECURE APP ACCESS

Certificate-Based Access That's Simple, Strong, and Scalable

Transform your access control with certificate-based authentication that seamlessly integrates with existing infrastructure while delivering enterprise-grade security.

Certificate-Backed SSO

Every login is bound to both identity and device using EAP-TLS. Certificates issued via Dynamic SCEP and ACME DA replace weak credentials, integrating directly with IdPs like Okta, OneLogin, and Entra ID.

Key outcomes: stronger SSO, no shared passwords, continuous trust.

Passwordless Experience

The login flow looks and feels like standard SSO, but certificates silently replace passwords. No resets, no MFA fatigue. Just seamless app access backed by certificate validation against your IdP and MDM.

Key outcomes: faster logins, fewer disruptions, hardened authentication.

Policy-Driven Control

Certificates act as living trust objects, continuously updated with device posture and risk signals from your security stack. Access adapts automatically based on identity, device, and context, with a full audit trail.

Key outcomes: real-time enforcement, adaptive access, audit-ready compliance.

See How This Works

Ready to see certificate-based device trust in action?

Protect the Keys to Your Castle

Certificate Patterns for SSO and Application Access

Replace app passwords with certificates that validate device trust. Your IdP handles identity, we handle device verification.

Certificate-Based Auth Flow
Real-Time Revocation & Monitoring
Role-Based Certificate Scoping

Certificate-Based Authentication Flow

Certificates replace passwords for SSO Identity Providers (via SAML/OIDC) like Okta, Azure AD, and OneLogin. Device + identity verification before any app access. Stolen laptop can't access Salesforce even with valid credentials.

Platform Integrations

IAM
MDM
EDR/XDR
ZTNA/SASE
Network Security

Key Benefits

Zero Password DependenciesEliminate credential theft and password
attacks
Continuous Security ValidationReal-time device trust and compliance
checks
Enterprise-Grade ScalabilityWorks with any SAML/OIDC provider at
scale
Certificate-Based Auth Flow

Real-Time Revocation & Monitoring

IdPs, MDMs, and security tools trigger certificate revocation. Device compliance fails? Session access is denied at next validation checkpoint. No waiting for next sync cycle, no manual cleanup.

Platform Integrations

IAM
MDM
EDR/XDR
ZTNA/SASE
Network Security

Key Benefits

Instant Response TimeReal-time revocation within seconds of
detection
Automated EnforcementNo manual intervention or sync delays
Multi-Platform IntegrationWorks across IdP, MDM, EDR, and ZTNA
systems
Real-Time Revocation & Monitoring

Role-Based Certificate Scoping

Contractors get certificates for specific apps only. BYOD devices access limited to email/calendar only — no HR, ERP, or finance apps. Time-boxed, role-scoped, zero lateral movement.
Platform Integrations

IAM
MDM
EDR/XDR
ZTNA/SASE
Network Security

Key Benefits

Granular Access ControlRole-based app restrictions without VDI
overhead
Time-Boxed SessionsAutomatic expiration for contractor access
Zero Lateral MovementStrict boundaries prevent privilege
escalation
Role-Based Certificate Scoping

Works With Your Existing Infrastructure

Certificate-based device trust works with your existing infrastructure. See how it integrates:

Designed for Real-Time, Context-Aware Enforcement

Works Seamlessly With the Security Stack You Already Use

SecureW2 ingests real-time signals from your existing tools such as SIEMs, EDRs, firewalls, and identity providers using native integrations, webhooks, and eventhooks. These insights feed our policy engine to deliver precise, context-rich access decisions when and where they matter most.

SecureW2 Logo
SecureW2
Certificate Authority at the Center of Your Security Ecosystem
200+ Integrations
Identity & Access Icon
Identity & Access Policy Enablement & SSO
Okta Logo
Entra ID Logo
Ping Identity Logo
OneLogin Logo
Google Logo
Shibboleth Logo
+ Many More
Device Management Icon
Device Management MDM/EMM & Cert Gateway
Jamf Logo
Microsoft Intune Logo
Workspace ONE Logo
MobileIron Logo
Kandji Logo
Mosyle Logo
+ Many More
Network Security Icon
Network Security SASE & ZTNA
Palo Alto Networks Logo
Cisco Logo
Fortinet Logo
Check Point Logo
Zscaler Logo
Sophos Logo
+ Many More
Wireless Security Icon
Wireless Security 802.1X Wi-Fi Enterprise
Cisco Meraki Logo
Ubiquiti Networks Logo
Fortinet Logo
HPE Aruba Logo
CommScope Logo
Mist Logo
+ Many More
Threat Intelligence Icon
Threat Intelligence EDR/XDR & SIEM Platforms
CrowdStrike Logo
Palo Alto Networks Logo
Microsoft Defender Logo
Splunk Logo
Datadog Logo
Elastic Security Logo
+ Many More
Certificates For Any Access Surface

If It's Accessible, It's Securable

Discover how our comprehensive identity and access management solutions can secure your organization across different use cases and environments.

/ NETWORK AUTH
/ SSO & WEB APPS
/ ZTNA/VPN
/ DESKTOP LOGIN
/ GUEST WI-FI
/ NON-HUMAN IDENTITIES
SecureW2 / NETWORK AUTH

Modernize Auth for Wired and Wireless Networks

Fast, reliable 802.1X and Cloud RADIUS authentication for Wi-Fi and wired access—powered by real-time policy evaluation and passwordless certificate-based access that adapts to identity, posture and risk.

INTEGRATIONS
SecureW2 / SSO & WEB APPS

Device Trust for SSO and Applications

Dynamically issue x.509 certificates through policies that authorize scoped access based on role, risk and device context. Enforce least-privilege access to SaaS and internal apps from trusted devices only.

INTEGRATIONS
SecureW2 / ZTNA/VPN

Enforce Least-Privilege Access for Remote Workers

Enable secure distributed access with certificate-based ZTNA and VPN integrations. Dynamic policy decisions authorize access based on real-time signals from your existing security stack.

INTEGRATIONS
SecureW2 / DESKTOP LOGIN

Passwordless Desktop Authentication

Enforce certificate-backed login with YubiKeys, smart cards and other hardware tokens. Dynamic certificate management supports PIN and PUK functionality and automates enrollment, renewal and slot assignment.

INTEGRATIONS
SecureW2 / GUEST WI-FI

Deliver Guest Wi-Fi with Role Limits and Expiration

Provision guest access with minute-level control. Supported methods include sponsor approval and self-registration through Captive Portal, plus directory integration with LDAP, Google, PowerSchool and SAML.

INTEGRATIONS
SecureW2 / NON-HUMAN IDENTITIES

Scoped Access for Autonomous Workloads

Issue certificates specifically provisioned for pipelines, containers, scripts and AI agents. Scope access dynamically with ACME and policy tuned for systems that operate on their own. No shared keys or secrets.

INTEGRATIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Can certificate-based authentication work with our existing SSO, IdP, or MDM platforms?

Yes. You don't need to rip and replace your existing infrastructure. SecureW2 is designed to extend the security and capabilities of your SSO and IdP platforms by making certificates a native form of authentication. With out-of-the-box integrations for all major MDMs and identity providers, you can enable certificate-based login quickly and at scale, without interrupting your users or workflows.

What happens to app access if a user leaves the company or a device becomes non-compliant?

When an employee departs or a device falls out of compliance, access is revoked instantly by disabling the certificate tied to that user or device. Because logins rely on certificates instead of passwords, there's nothing left behind to be phished, reused, or exploited. The revoked certificate simply stops working across all protected applications.

How does your solution handle access for contractors, partners, or unmanaged devices?

Contractors and BYOD users enroll through a secure, self-service workflow tied to SAML credentials that provisions certificates directly to their devices. These certificates provide instant, seamless app access while still enforcing compliance, revocation, and audit standards based on your customized organizational needs.

What visibility do IT and security teams have into application access events and certificate usage?

SecureW2 provides real-time visibility into app logins and certificate usage across your environment. Administrators can monitor login attempts, device compliance status, and certificate activity as they happen, ensuring anomalies are quickly detected and responded to before they become risks.

Is there an impact on user productivity or workflow when switching from passwords to certificate-based authentication?

The transition has minimal disruption for users. Once certificates are provisioned to their devices, employees continue signing in through their normal SSO provider. The only difference is that behind the scenes, they're authenticating with certificates instead of passwords, making the process both faster and more secure.

What is the daily end-user experience like for employees using CBA for apps?

For employees, the daily experience feels identical to using their normal SSO provider — except without the hassles of passwords. Once a certificate is provisioned to their device, they authenticate automatically at login with no prompts for credentials, creating a faster, frictionless way to access their applications.

How does certificate-based authentication protect against phishing attacks?

Certificate-based authentication eliminates the risk of phishing because there are no passwords or codes for attackers to steal. Each certificate is a cryptographic credential stored securely on the user's device, making it impossible to trick employees into handing over login information.

Built for Networks Like Yours

From Identity-Only to Identity + Device + Risk

Enforce certificate-based device trust with your SSO. Credentials are bound to users and endpoints, continuously evaluated with real-time signals from Okta, OneLogin, and Entra ID to adapt access and enforce least privilege.