The integration of Secure Enclave with Platform Single Sign-On (PSSO) advances security-usability balance. This fusion not only enhances the protection against unauthorised access but also elevates the user authentication experience to new heights. This blog post will explain Secure Enclave, its role in bolstering PSSO, and how to use it to secure our macOS digital lives.
Stay tuned as we embark on this deep dive into enhancing Platform Single Sign-On with the unparalleled security of the Secure Enclave. The future of authentication is here, and it’s more secure and user-friendly than ever before.
Understanding Secure Enclave and PSSO
Before we dive into the synergy between Secure Enclave and Platform Single Sign-On (PSSO), let’s establish a foundational understanding of these two critical components in the macOS security landscape.
What is Secure Enclave?
At its core, the Secure Enclave is a revolutionary hardware-based security feature embedded within Apple’s silicon chips. It acts as a secure vault, designed to protect cryptographic keys and sensitive data involved in encryption, decryption, and authentication processes. The Secure Enclave is isolated from the main processor, ensuring that the data it handles is kept away from the reach of both the operating system and applications. This isolation provides a robust layer of security, even if the main system is compromised.
It follows the same design principles as the SoC — a Boot ROM to establish a hardware root of trust, an AES engine for efficient and secure cryptographic operations, and protected memory. Although the Secure Enclave doesn’t include storage, it has a mechanism to store information securely on attached storage separate from the NAND flash storage that’s used by the Application Processor and operating system.
I know, this picture is hard to understand. Don’t worry about it. I’ll make it easy for you. 😄
Key features of the Secure Enclave include:
- Hardware Isolation: Ensures sensitive operations are performed in a secure environment, isolated from potentially compromised software.
- Biometric Data Protection: Manages Touch ID and Face ID operations, storing biometric information in an encrypted format that never leaves the device.
- Cryptographic Key Management: Generates and stores cryptographic keys securely, facilitating secure transactions and communications.
Understanding Platform Single Sign-On (PSSO)
Platform Single Sign-On (PSSO) simplifies the authentication process across multiple services and applications. By logging in once, users gain access to a suite of applications without the need to re-authenticate for each service. PSSO enhances user experience by reducing password fatigue and streamlining access, all while maintaining a secure authentication process.
Looking for a deep dive into PSSO? This link holds all the info 👇
The Synergy Between Secure Enclave and PSSO
While PSSO offers a streamlined authentication process, integrating it with the Secure Enclave’s hardware-based security capabilities significantly enhances its security posture. The Secure Enclave ensures that the keys and credentials used in the PSSO process are stored and managed securely, protecting them from external threats and unauthorized access. This integration not only bolsters security but also leverages biometric authentication methods to provide a more user-friendly experience.
Elevating Security with Hardware-Based Authentication
The Secure Enclave provides a secure platform for storing cryptographic keys and performing critical operations involved in user authentication. By integrating PSSO with the Secure Enclave, authentication credentials, such as cryptographic keys and biometric data, are managed in a hardware-isolated environment. This significantly reduces the attack surface, as sensitive data is not exposed to the operating system or applications that could be compromised.
One of the most notable benefits of this integration is the utilization of biometric authentication methods, such as Touch ID and Face ID, for PSSO. These methods offer a user-friendly alternative to traditional passwords, which are susceptible to phishing attacks and often result in “password fatigue” among users. The Secure Enclave processes and authenticates biometric data within its isolated environment, ensuring that this data never leaves the device in an identifiable form.
Streamlining User Authentication
The synergy between Secure Enclave and PSSO also manifests in the streamlined authentication process it offers to users. Once a user is authenticated via Touch ID or Face ID, the Secure Enclave verifies the authentication and allows PSSO to proceed, granting the user access to multiple services and applications without the need to enter additional passwords. This seamless process not only enhances user experience but also encourages the adoption of stronger security practices, as users are more likely to engage with systems that are both secure and convenient.
Protecting Identity and Access Management
In corporate environments, where identity and access management (IAM) are crucial, integrating Secure Enclave with PSSO provides a robust solution for securing employee access to resources. This level of security is particularly important in scenarios where access control plays a critical role in protecting organisational data and resources.
The Future of Authentication
The integration of Secure Enclave and PSSO points towards the future of authentication technologies — one where security and convenience do not have to be mutually exclusive. As this technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more sophisticated security mechanisms that further minimize the reliance on passwords and enhance the user experience.
Step-by-Step Guide: Implementing Secure Enclave with PSSO
On Apple devices managed by a Mobile Device Management (MDM) system for example – Microsoft Intune, “com.apple.extensiblesso” plays a key role in simplifying logins. It’s a configuration profile that enables a feature called Extensible Single Sign-On (SSO). This means you only need to log in once, and then you’ll automatically be signed in to multiple apps and websites without needing to enter your credentials repeatedly. This profile works alongside extensions created by identity providers, ensuring a seamless login experience. Additionally, MDM administrators can customize various settings within this profile, allowing them to control which apps are covered and configure security options.
With this method, a user who logs in to their Mac can use a Secure Enclave–backed key to authenticate with the IdP without a password. The Secure Enclave key is set up with the IdP during the user registration process. In simple terms, it is like Windows Hello for Business 😄Let’s configure the PSSO profile using Secure Enclave–backed key authentication.
- Sign in to the Microsoft Intune admin center.
- Select Devices -> macOS -> Configuration Profile -> Create -> New Policy -> Select Settings Catalog.
- Select Create.
- In Basics, enter the name & description for the profile.
- Assign the profile to the required group.
Enrolment into PSSO With Secure Enclave Key
Let’s look how the PSSO looks different when using Secure Enclave Key based authentication.
Notice the difference when using PSSO with Secure Enclave Key Authentication? It uses hardware-based security i.e. it prompts you to use Touch ID to authenticateVerifying Secure Enclave with PSSO
While the Secure Enclave’s operations are securely abstracted away from direct user and developer interaction, there are steps you can take to ensure that your Platform Single Sign-On (PSSO) setup is properly utilizing Secure Enclave for enhanced security. Here’s how to verify this integration:
- Registration Steps:
The first step to identify the difference is the registration. As contrary to password based authentication, Secure Enclave Key authentication uses hardware-based authentication. The PSSO payload uses Touch ID for authentication.
- Verify PSSO Registration
- Verify Secure Enclave Key Authentication: An indication of this method being employed is the lack of a traditional password prompt during authentication. Instead, authentication might involve biometric data (such as Touch ID) or a device passcode.
Conclusion
The integration of Secure Enclave with Platform Single Sign-On (PSSO) represents a significant stride forward in the quest for secure and seamless authentication on macOS. By leveraging the robust hardware-based security features of the Secure Enclave, users and organizations can enjoy a higher level of protection for their authentication credentials, without sacrificing the convenience and efficiency that PSSO offers.
That’s all for this week, thank you for joining me on this deep dive into enhancing PSSO with Secure Enclave on macOS. Stay tuned for more exciting Intune stories.
