In a federated identity arrangement, who acts as the identity provider?

In a federated identity arrangement, the identity provider is typically a trusted entity responsible for authenticating users and providing identity information to service providers. In this context, a contracted third party serves as the identity provider because they manage the authentication process and maintain the necessary security infrastructure. This entity ensures the identity of users within the federation is verified and can facilitate single sign-on capabilities across different organizations.

This setup allows member organizations to trust the authentication process managed by the third party without needing to manage user credentials individually. It streamlines access to resources across the federation and enhances security by centralizing the identity verification process within a trusted environment.