Okta vs RSA SecurID: What are the differences?

Introduction

Both Okta and RSA SecurID are security systems used to authenticate and authorize users accessing a website or application. However, there are several key differences between the two systems that make them unique in their own ways.

1. Authentication Methods: Okta provides a variety of authentication methods such as Single Sign-On (SSO), passwordless authentication, and multi-factor authentication (MFA). On the other hand, RSA SecurID primarily relies on the use of hardware tokens or software tokens for authentication.

2. Token Types: Okta supports a wide range of token types including push notifications, SMS OTP, email OTP, and biometrics. In contrast, RSA SecurID primarily utilizes hardware tokens or software tokens for authentication, which are generated based on a user's RSA SecurID token seed.

3. Integration Capabilities: Okta offers extensive integration capabilities, allowing seamless integration with various third-party applications and platforms. This enables organizations to centralize their user authentication processes across different systems. On the other hand, RSA SecurID has limited integration capabilities, primarily focusing on authentication within the RSA ecosystem.

4. User Experience: Okta provides a user-friendly and intuitive interface, ensuring a smooth user experience for both administrators and end-users. It offers customizable login pages and a wide range of authentication methods to cater to different user preferences. Conversely, RSA SecurID has a more traditional and less user-friendly interface, relying on hardware tokens or software tokens for authentication.

5. Administration and Management: Okta offers comprehensive administration and management capabilities, allowing administrators to easily manage user accounts, authentication policies, and access controls. It provides a centralized console for managing all aspects of the authentication process. In contrast, RSA SecurID has a more complex administration and management system, requiring dedicated expertise and resources for configuration and maintenance.

6. Cost: Okta operates on a subscription-based pricing model, offering flexible pricing plans based on the number of users and features required. On the other hand, RSA SecurID typically involves higher upfront costs, as it requires the purchase of physical hardware tokens or software tokens.

In Summary, Okta offers a wider range of authentication methods, integration capabilities, and a user-friendly experience compared to RSA SecurID, which primarily relies on hardware tokens, has limited integration capabilities, and a more complex administration system.