> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.devolutions.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.devolutions.net/pam/concepts/identity-provider.md).

# Identity provider

An **identity provider** (IdP) is an external service that stores and manages user identities and credentials. Devolutions PAM interacts with these providers to perform identity-related actions such as [password rotations](https://docs.devolutions.net/pam/concepts/password-rotation/), account validations, and session authorizations. Identity providers are never internal to Devolutions PAM; they serve as external sources that the platform accesses through configured providers.

Common identity providers include [Microsoft Active Directory](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/identity/ad-ds/manage/understand-default-user-accounts), [MySQL databases](https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/8.4/en/user-names.html), [Windows operating systems](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/manage-user-accounts-in-windows-104dc19f-6430-4b49-6a2b-e4dbd1dcdf32), and [Linux operating systems](https://www.redhat.com/sysadmin/linux-user-group-management). Each of these systems handles the core functions of [authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authentication,_authorization,_and_accounting), which are foundational for managing access securely.

Within Devolutions PAM, identity providers are essential to executing privileged tasks on managed accounts. Administrators can automate interactions with these external sources using actions, helping to streamline credential management while maintaining strict control and auditability.

#### Identity provider aliases

* IdP
* authentication provider
* Identity as a service (IDaaS) provider

#### Related topics

* [Providers (Devolutions Server)](https://docs.devolutions.net/pam/server/providers/)
* [Providers (Devolutions Cloud)](https://docs.devolutions.net/pam/pam-with-devolutions-cloud/providers/)

#### See also

* [Create an Entra ID PAM provider (Devolutions Cloud)](https://docs.devolutions.net/pam/kb/how-to-articles/create-an-entra-id-pam-provider-devolutions-cloud/)
* [Create an Entra ID PAM provider (Devolutions Server)](https://docs.devolutions.net/pam/kb/how-to-articles/create-azure-ad-pam-provider-devolutions-server/)
* [Create Windows users provider (Devolutions Server)](https://docs.devolutions.net/pam/kb/how-to-articles/create-windows-users-provider/)
* [Glossary of Common Privileged Access Management (PAM) Terms](https://blog.devolutions.net/2021/01/glossary-of-common-privileged-access-management-pam-terms/)
* [Need Cybersecurity Insurance? Then You Probably Need PAM, Too](https://blog.devolutions.net/2023/10/need-cybersecurity-insurance-then-you-probably-need-pam-too/)


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