An external account refers to a user account or identity managed by an external identity provider (IdP) or authentication system. External accounts allow users to access resources or services provided by third-party organizations without needing separate credentials or accounts.
For example, many online services and applications offer the option to sign in using external accounts from popular identity providers such as Google, Facebook, or Microsoft. Instead of creating a new account with the service, users can choose to authenticate using their existing credentials from the external provider, simplifying the sign-in process.
External accounts are commonly used in scenarios such as single sign-on (SSO) integrations, where users can access multiple applications or services with a single set of login credentials. By leveraging external accounts, organizations can enhance user experience, streamline authentication processes, and reduce the burden of managing multiple accounts and passwords.
However, organizations must ensure proper security measures are in place when using external accounts to access sensitive resources or data. This includes verifying the identity of the external provider, implementing secure authentication protocols, and monitoring access for suspicious activities or unauthorized access attempts.
Overall, external accounts provide a convenient and efficient way for users to access third-party services and applications, while also offering benefits for organizations in terms of usability, security, and identity management.
