Notes

⚠️ Critical Authentication Behaviors

🔒 Blocked User Handling

Cooling Period Users: Users serving cooling period see explicit error message
Time Remaining: Clear indication of how long user must wait
Status Display: "Cooling period time/message" or "blocked status" shown
No Authentication: User cannot proceed with authentication during lockout

✅ Normal User Processing

Standard Flow: Users not in blocked status proceed through normal authentication
No Status Disclosure: System doesn't reveal actual user status during normal flow
Security Measure: Prevents information disclosure about user account status
Consistent Experience: All users see same authentication flow regardless of internal status

🔧 System Behavior Patterns

🛡️ Security Through Obscurity

Status Concealment: System doesn't reveal user account status during normal authentication
Error Generalization: Authentication errors kept generic to prevent information leakage
Attack Prevention: Reduces ability for attackers to enumerate valid usernames
Consistent Response: Same authentication flow for all users regardless of account status

📊 Error Message Strategy

Specific When Blocked: Clear messages when user is explicitly blocked or in cooling period
Generic Otherwise: Vague error messages for authentication failures to prevent enumeration
User-Friendly: Balance between security and usability in error messaging
Support Guidance: Clear paths to support when users experience persistent issues

🔄 Authentication Flow Variations

🌐 Remember Me Impact

Flow Alteration: Remember Me selection significantly changes subsequent authentication flows
Duration Management: Remembered status has configurable lifetime
Security Trade-off: Convenience versus security consideration for organizations
User Control: Users can manage remembered browsers through User Portal

👤 User Type Dependencies

REL-ID Mobile Users: Have additional authentication options (Push, TOTP)
Web-Only Users: Limited to web-registered factors (Password, SMS, Email)
Hybrid Users: Can utilize both mobile and web authentication factors
Dynamic Options: Available authentication methods change based on user profile

🔧 Configuration Dependencies

⚙️ Administrator Control Points

Factor Availability: allowed.auth.factors configuration controls available options
Registration Control: allowed.reg.factors affects user setup capabilities
Policy Enforcement: Various configurations impact authentication flow behavior
System Integration: Configuration changes may require service restarts

🔄 Dynamic Configuration Impact

Real-time Changes: Some configuration changes take effect immediately
Service Restart Required: Major configuration changes require service restart
User Impact: Configuration changes can affect user authentication experience
Testing Requirements: Configuration changes should be tested before production deployment

📊 Performance and Scalability Notes

🚀 Session Management

Session Storage: Authentication sessions maintained securely
Timeout Handling: Sessions have configurable timeout periods
Concurrent Sessions: System supports multiple concurrent sessions per user
Resource Management: Session cleanup processes prevent resource exhaustion

📈 Load Considerations

Authentication Volume: System designed to handle high authentication volumes
Factor Verification: Different factors have different performance characteristics
Mobile Integration: Push notifications and TOTP have different latency profiles
Communication Dependencies: SMS and Email factors depend on external services

🛠️ Integration Considerations

🔗 RP Integration

Callback Handling: RPs must properly handle authentication callbacks
Error Processing: RPs should handle authentication errors gracefully
Token Management: Proper token exchange and validation required
User Experience: RPs should provide smooth transitions to/from authentication

📱 Mobile App Coordination

Synchronization: Web and mobile authentication must remain synchronized
Factor Consistency: Same user factors available across platforms
Policy Alignment: Security policies consistent between web and mobile
Cross-Platform Support: Users can switch between web and mobile seamlessly

Updated 15 days ago