Authentication and Authorization Models
1. Authentication and Authorization Models
Welcome! Let's master authentication and authorization to secure our GitHub organization and streamline access!2. Authentication Methods
Securing our GitHub organization starts with robust authentication. We'll cover critical methods like Two-Factor Authentication for added security, SSH keys for secure connections, Personal Access Tokens for controlled API access, and integrating identity providers to streamline user management.3. Two-Factor Authentication
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is crucial by adding an extra layer of protection. With 2FA, members of our organization must log in with both their username and password, plus a secondary form of authentication. Security keys provide the strongest defense, followed by codes from cloud-based TOTP apps. SMS codes and GitHub Mobile are also available as alternative options.4. Setting Up 2FA
To set up Two-Factor Authentication, we go to Settings, then open Password and Authentication. Select our preferred method—Security Key, TOTP, or SMS—and save our Recovery Codes somewhere securely for future access.5. Enabling 2FA for Organization
To enable 2FA for our organization, go to Settings, open the Authentication Security tab, and activate the 2FA requirement. Members without 2FA will be removed from the organization and notified by email. We can also set up SAML authentication in this tab.6. Understanding SAML SSO
SAML Single Sign-On (SSO) allows users to log in once and access multiple apps, including GitHub, without re-entering credentials. It requires a SAML Identity Provider like Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, or OneLogin. SAML SSO improves security by centralizing user authentication and reducing the need for multiple passwords.7. Personal Access Tokens
After setting up secure access methods like 2FA and SAML SSO, we need a safe way to connect to GitHub's API for automation and integrations — this is where Personal Access Tokens or PATs come in. PATs are special codes that act like passwords but with more control over what they can do. They are essential for securely connecting tools like Jupyter notebooks, data pipelines, or scripts to our GitHub repositories. There are two types of PATs: Classic, which offers broad access, and Fine-grained, which gives us precise control over what the token can access.8. Setting Up PATs
To set up a Personal Access Token (PAT) in GitHub, go to our account settings, then navigate to Developer Settings > Personal Access Tokens. Click 'Generate new token' and select whether we need Classic or Fine-grained. Set an expiration date, then select the appropriate scopes for the token based on what we need access to. Securely store the token. It won't be shown again! Use this token instead of a password when connecting tools or automating tasks. Regularly review and update our tokens for ongoing security.9. OAuth Authorization Model
Building on what we’ve learned about PATs, OAuth is another secure method for granting third-party apps access to our GitHub account. Unlike PATs, OAuth doesn’t require sharing our password. Instead, it gives apps the specific permissions they need while keeping our credentials safe. This is especially useful for connecting GitHub to data tools like Apache Airflow, allowing specific access to datasets for automated workflows without exposing our entire account.10. Let's practice!
We covered essential security practices. Now, it's time to put these skills into practice.Create Your Free Account
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