> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cortex-docs.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex-agentix/configure-cortex-agentix/users-and-roles-management/set-up-authentication/set-up-okta-as-the-identity-provider-using-saml-2.0.md).

# Set up Okta as the Identity Provider Using SAML 2.0

This topic provides specific instructions for using Okta to authenticate your Cortex AgentiX users. As Okta is a third-party software, specific procedures, and screenshots may change without notice. We encourage you to also review the [Okta documentation for app integrations](https://help.okta.com/oie/en-us/content/topics/apps/apps_apps.htm).

To configure SAML SSO in Cortex AgentiX, you must be a user who can access the Cortex AgentiX tenant and have either the Account Admin or Instance Administrator role assigned.

<details>

<summary>Task 1. Configure Okta Groups</summary>

Within Okta, assign users to [groups](https://help.okta.com/asa/en-us/content/topics/adv_server_access/docs/setup/create-a-group.htm) that match the user groups they will belong to in Cortex AgentiX. Users can be assigned to multiple Okta groups and receive permissions associated with multiple user groups in Cortex AgentiX. Use an identifying word or phrase, such as Cortex AgentiX, within the group names. For example, Cortex AgentiX Analysts. This allows you to send only relevant group information to Cortex AgentiX, based on a filter you will set in the group attribute statement.

Create a list of the Okta groups and their corresponding Cortex AgentiX user groups (or the Cortex AgentiX user groups you intend to create) and save this list for later use when configuring user groups in Cortex AgentiX.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Task 2. Copy Single SSO and Audience URI Values from Cortex AgentiX</summary>

1. Expand the **SSO Integration** settings.
2. Copy and save the values for **Single Sign-On URL** and **Audience URI (SP Entity ID)**.

   Both values are needed to configure your IdP settings.

   You cannot save the enabled SSO Integration at this time, as it requires values from your IdP.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Task 3. Configure Cortex AgentiX Application in Okta</summary>

1. In Okta, create a Cortex AgentiX application and **Edit** the **SAML Settings**.
2. Paste the **Single sign-on URL** and the **Audience URI (SP Entity ID)** that you copied from the Cortex AgentiX SSO settings. The Audience URI should also be pasted in the **Default RelayState** field, which allows users to log in to Cortex AgentiX directly from the Okta dashboard.
3. Click **Show Advanced Settings**, verify that Okta is configured to sign both the response and the assertion signature for the SAML token, and then click **Hide Advanced Settings**.
4. Cortex AgentiX requires the IdP to send four attributes in the SAML token for the authenticating user.

   * Email address
   * Group membership
   * First Name
   * Last Name

   Configure Okta to send group memberships of the users using the `memberOf` attribute. Use the word or phrase you selected when configuring Okta groups (such as Cortex AgentiX) to create a filter for the relevant groups.
5. Copy the exact names of the attribute statements from Okta and save them, as they are required to configure the Cortex AgentiX SSO integration. In the example above, the names are FirstName, LastName, Email, and memberOf. The attribute names are case-sensitive.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Task 4. Copy IdP SSO URL, Identity Provider Issuer, and X.509 Certificate Values</summary>

1. In Okta, from your Cortex AgentiX application page, click **View SAML setup instructions**. If you do not see this button, verify you are on the **Sign On** tab of the application.
2. Copy and save the values for **Identity Provider Single Sign-On URL**, **Identity Provider Insurer**, and the **X.509 Certificate**. These values are needed to configure your Cortex AgentiX SSO Integration.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Task 5. Configure the Cortex AgentiX SSO Integration</summary>

1. Expand the **SSO Integration** settings.
2. Use the following table to complete the SSO Integration settings, based on the values you saved from Okta.

   | Okta                                 | Cortex AgentiX Field |
   | ------------------------------------ | -------------------- |
   | Identity Provider Single Sign-On URL | IdP SSO URL          |
   | Identity Provider Issuer             | IdP Issuer ID        |
   | X.509 Certificate                    | X.509 Certificate    |
3. In the **IdP Attributes Mapping** section, enter the attribute names from Okta. The names are case-sensitive and must match exactly.
4. **Save** your settings.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Task 6. Map SAML Group Memberships to Cortex AgentiX User Groups</summary>

1. Right-click a user group and select **Edit Group**.
2. In the **SAML Group Mapping** field add the Okta group(s) that should be associated with this user group. Multiple groups should be separated with a comma. The Okta group name must match the exact value sent in the token.
3. **Save** your settings.
4. Repeat for each user group.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Task 7. Test SSO Login</summary>

1. Go to the Cortex AgentiX tenant URL and **Sign-In with SSO**.

   <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><h3>Note</h3><p>When using SAML 2.0, users are required to authenticate by logging in directly at the tenant URL. They cannot log in via Cortex Gateway.</p></div>
2. After authentication to Okta, you are redirected again to the Cortex AgentiX tenant.
3. When logged in, validate that you have been assigned the proper roles.

   To view your role and any role assigned to a user group you are a member of, click your name in the bottom left-hand corner, and click **About**.

</details>


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