Delegated Identity Management (DIM) and Federated Identity Management (FIM) are both approaches to managing user identities, but they differ in their scope and implementation. DIM involves delegating authentication to a third-party provider, while FIM enables users to access multiple services using a single set of credentials across different organizations.
SCENARIO
John wants to purchase goods from a store online but does not want to set up a new account and password. Instead, he logs on using Facebook, which is the only alternate identity provider for the website. What is the term that BEST describes this type of identification and authentication?
Federated Identity Management (FIM)
Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS)
Single Sign-On (SSO)
Delegated Identity Management (DIM)
- Definition: DIM means one service relies on another, pre-selected service for authentication. The user signs in using credentials from a third-party provider (like Google or Facebook).
- Example: Using “Sign in with Google” on a website.
- Key Feature: Outsourcing authentication to a trusted third party.
- Scope: Typically used for specific scenarios, like using existing employee credentials for partner portals.
Federated Identity Management (FIM):
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Definition:
FIM allows users to access multiple services with a single set of credentials across different domains or organizations.
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Example:
Using your Gmail credentials to access YouTube or other Google services.
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Key Feature:
Users can authenticate once and access various applications and services without needing separate logins.
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Scope:
Suitable for businesses collaborating with external partners or service providers.
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Feature
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Delegated Identity Management (DIM)
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Federated Identity Management (FIM)
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Scope
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Authentication delegated to a specific third party
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Authentication across multiple domains/organizations
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User Experience
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Access to limited services tied to the delegated provider
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Single sign-on across various services and domains
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Security
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Relies on the security of the delegated provider
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Requires trust agreements between participating organizations
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Flexibility
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Less flexible, as it’s tied to the delegated provider
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More flexible, as it allows access to various services
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In essence: DIM is like using a key (your Google account) to unlock a specific door (a website that supports Google sign-in). FIM is like having a master key that unlocks many different doors (accessing multiple services within the Google ecosystem or with other federated partners).
Core Differences Between FIM and DIM
Federated Identity Management (FIM) and Delegated Identity Management (DIM) are both approaches to handling authentication across systems, but they differ in scope, flexibility, and implementation. FIM enables broader interoperability across multiple identity providers, while DIM focuses on outsourcing to a specific provider. Below is a summary of the key differences:
| Aspect | Federated Identity Management (FIM) | Delegated Identity Management (DIM) |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A system where users can authenticate using any compatible identity provider across multiple organizations or domains, based on mutual trust and standards. | A system where authentication is outsourced to a specific, pre-selected third-party provider, limiting users to that provider’s credentials. |
| Scope and Flexibility | Supports multiple identity providers (e.g., any OpenID-compatible account). Users can choose from various providers as long as they interoperate. | Limited to one or a few pre-chosen providers (e.g., only Facebook). No flexibility for users to use alternative accounts. |
| Trust Model | Relies on federated agreements and protocols for cross-domain trust, allowing seamless access across independent systems. | Involves delegation to a trusted third party, where the service provider fully relies on that party’s authentication without broader federation. |
| Use Case Example | Logging into a website using any supported provider like Google, Apple, or OpenID. | Logging into a website exclusively via “Login with Facebook,” with no other options. |
| Protocols/Standards | Often uses open standards like SAML, OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect for broad compatibility. | Typically uses protocols like OAuth but tied to a specific provider’s implementation (e.g., Facebook Connect). |
| Security Implications | Enhances security through distributed trust but requires strong agreements to prevent chain compromises. | Simplifies security for the service provider but creates a single point of failure if the delegated provider is compromised. |
| User Experience | More versatile; reduces password fatigue across ecosystems. | Convenient but restrictive; ideal for scenarios with a dominant provider. |
These differences stem from FIM’s emphasis on open, multi-provider federation versus DIM’s focused delegation to a single entity.
Platforms Using FIM and DIM Extensively, Especially in Social Media
Social media platforms often act as identity providers (IdPs) in these systems, enabling “social logins” for other websites and apps. This is common for user convenience, reducing the need for new accounts. Here’s how FIM and DIM are applied:
Platforms Using FIM Extensively:
FIM is widely adopted in social media ecosystems where multiple providers are supported, allowing users to choose from various social accounts for authentication. This is common in collaborative or multi-vendor environments.
- Google (via Google Sign-In and OAuth/OpenID Connect): Acts as an IdP for countless sites and apps (e.g., YouTube, Spotify, Netflix integrations). Users can federate their Google identity across non-Google services, supporting broad interoperability.
- Apple (Sign in with Apple): Integrated into social apps and websites, allowing federation with other providers like Google or Facebook for cross-platform access.
- LinkedIn: Used for professional networking; supports FIM for logging into job boards, CRMs (e.g., Salesforce), and other B2B tools via OAuth.
- OpenID Connect Implementations: Platforms like Stack Overflow or Reddit allow multiple social IdPs (e.g., Google, Facebook, GitHub), embodying FIM’s multi-provider model.
- Enterprise Social Tools (e.g., Microsoft Azure AD): Federates identities across social-like internal networks, often integrated with LinkedIn or Yammer for broader access.
These platforms leverage FIM to enhance user retention in social ecosystems by enabling seamless access to third-party services, reducing friction in content sharing and collaborations.
Platforms Using DIM Extensively:
DIM is prevalent when social media platforms serve as the sole or primary IdP, delegating authentication exclusively to them. This is common in consumer-facing apps where one dominant social provider simplifies login.
- Facebook (via Facebook Login/Connect): Heavily used for DIM in apps and websites that offer “Login with Facebook” as the only option (e.g., many gaming apps, e-commerce sites like Shopify integrations). Facebook delegates authentication, controlling the process.
- Twitter/X (Sign in with X): Acts as a delegated provider for niche social apps or bots, where authentication is outsourced solely to X for user verification.
- Instagram (Owned by Meta): Often delegates to Facebook’s ecosystem for login in affiliated apps, limiting options to Meta accounts.
- TikTok: Uses DIM for quick logins in partnered content creation tools, delegating to its own or ByteDance systems exclusively.
In social media, DIM is popular for viral growth (e.g., sharing content via the delegated provider) but can limit user choice. Many platforms blend both: starting with DIM (one provider) and evolving to FIM (multiple) as they scale.
Overall, social media giants like Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Google dominate as IdPs, with DIM suiting exclusive integrations and FIM enabling ecosystem expansion. Adoption of these systems improves security by minimizing passwords while boosting engagement through easier access.
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Federated Identity Management (FIM) usually implies a network of multiple trusted identity providers that a relying party can accept (e.g., Google, Microsoft, Facebook, LinkedIn all being options).
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Delegated Identity Management (DIM) means the site fully delegates authentication to a single, external identity provider — in this case, Facebook only. The store has no other login path; it completely relies on Facebook to verify John’s identity.
So, John’s case is DIM because:
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The store does not manage credentials itself.
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Authentication is exclusively handled by one outside provider.
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John’s identity verification is entirely delegated to Facebook.
If there were multiple possible identity providers, or if this was part of a broader trust federation, then FIM would be more accurate. But since there’s only one delegated provider, DIM fits best.
