In the world of Identity and Access Management (IAM), integrating your existing directory services with Okta is a game-changer. The Directory Integrations tab in the Okta Admin Console is where this critical connection happens — linking Okta with systems like Active Directory (AD) or LDAP to streamline authentication, provisioning, and identity lifecycle management.
📂 What is the Directory Integrations Tab?
The Directory Integrations tab in Okta is where admins manage integrations with external directories such as:
- Microsoft Active Directory (AD)
- Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
- HR Systems (via Okta Workflows or Lifecycle Management)
It serves as a bridge between your on-premise or cloud directory and the Okta Universal Directory, enabling centralized identity control and real-time synchronization.
🧰 Key Features of the Directory Integrations Tab
1. Connect Active Directory or LDAP
- Use a secure agent installed on your network.
- Enable real-time password sync and delegated authentication.
- Define OU filtering, provisioning rules, and sync frequency.
2. Manage Agents
- View the status of installed AD/LDAP agents.
- Monitor last check-in, version number, and connectivity health.
- Add redundancy with multiple agents for high availability.
3. User & Group Sync
- Automatically import users and groups based on filters.
- Sync attributes like email, department, title, etc.
- Configure push groups or pull groups depending on your architecture.
4. Delegated Authentication
- Authenticate users against AD/LDAP without storing credentials in Okta.
- Ideal for password policies that must stay on-premises.
5. Password Sync & Self-Service
- Sync AD passwords directly to Okta (optional).
- Allow password reset through self-service, with changes synced back to AD.
6. Lifecycle Management
- Automate JML processes: joiner, mover, leaver.
- Enable account provisioning, suspension, or deactivation based on AD status.
📈 Benefits of Directory Integration in Okta
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| ✅ Unified Identity | Syncs users from on-prem AD to cloud-based Okta |
| 🔐 Strong Security | Uses secure agents and encryption |
| 🧑🤝🧑 Reduced Manual Work | Auto-provisioning & group-based app assignments |
| 🛡️ MFA & SSO Support | Extend Okta SSO & MFA to on-prem users |
| 🚀 Faster Onboarding | Immediate access to SaaS apps after user creation in AD |
⚙️ Admin Tasks in the Directory Integrations Tab
| Task | Action |
|---|---|
| Add new directory | Click “Add Directory” and choose AD or LDAP |
| Monitor agent status | Navigate to “Agents” sub-tab |
| Configure sync settings | Choose OUs, attributes, and import schedule |
| Restart agent | From the server or Okta interface |
| View import logs | See last sync results and changes made |
🛠️ Troubleshooting Tips
- Agent offline? Check firewall rules and ensure the server can reach Okta domains.
- User not syncing? Recheck OU filter settings and user object attributes.
- Password reset not working? Ensure delegated authentication and password write-back are enabled.
🧩 Related Admin Console Tabs
- Directory > People – See synced users and manage individual accounts.
- Directory > Groups – Manage AD or LDAP group-based access.
- Security > Authentication – Tie integrated users into Okta’s MFA and policy settings.
🧠 Final Thoughts
The Directory Integrations tab in Okta is a cornerstone for hybrid identity environments. It allows your organization to maintain its current directory infrastructure while leveraging the power and flexibility of Okta in the cloud.
Whether you’re connecting a single domain or orchestrating a complex hybrid IAM strategy, understanding this tab helps ensure secure and seamless identity management across your enterprise.