have an account?【sign in】difference between id token and access token azure ad
barisauthorThe Difference Between ID Tokens and Access Tokens in Azure AD
In the world of cloud-based applications and web APIs, access management is a crucial aspect of ensuring the security and privacy of both users and the applications themselves. One of the primary tools used for access management in Microsoft Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) is the concept of tokens. There are two main types of tokens used in Azure AD: ID tokens and access tokens. Understanding the difference between these two types of tokens is essential for developers and administrators responsible for managing access to applications and resources within their organization.
What are ID Tokens and Access Tokens?
In Azure AD, ID tokens are used to authenticate users and verify their identity. They contain information about the user's identity, such as their user name, first name, last name, and so on. ID tokens are typically used for user authentication and authorization purposes, and they can be used to identify users across multiple applications and services.
Access tokens, on the other hand, are used to grant users access to specific resources or applications within an organization. They contain information about the user's permissions and access rights, as well as the duration for which the user is granted access. Access tokens are typically used for authorizing users to access protected resources and services.
The Difference between ID Tokens and Access Tokens
The primary difference between ID tokens and access tokens in Azure AD lies in their purpose and usage. ID tokens are used to verify a user's identity, while access tokens are used to grant users access to specific resources or applications within an organization.
ID tokens contain information about a user's identity, such as their user name and first name, and are usually used for authentication purposes. Access tokens, on the other hand, contain information about a user's permissions and access rights, and are used to grant users access to specific resources or applications within an organization.
In other words, ID tokens are used to verify the identity of a user, while access tokens are used to grant the user access to specific resources or applications within an organization.
How are ID Tokens and Access Tokens Generated?
ID tokens and access tokens in Azure AD are generated using the same protocol, OAuth 2.0, but with different flow types. When a user attempts to access a protected resource or application, the authentication process begins with the ID token. If the user is successfully authenticated, an access token is generated and used to grant the user access to the protected resource or application.
ID tokens are generated using the Authorization Code Flow, which involves the user being redirected to the identity provider (Azure AD) to sign in and authenticate their identity. The user is then redirected back to the application, where the ID token is obtained.
Access tokens, on the other hand, are generated using the Resource Owner Flow, which involves the user providing their own credentials (username and password) to the application, which then uses those credentials to obtain an access token from Azure AD.
Understanding the difference between ID tokens and access tokens in Azure AD is crucial for developers and administrators responsible for managing access to applications and resources within their organization. ID tokens are used to verify a user's identity, while access tokens are used to grant users access to specific resources or applications within an organization. By understanding the purpose and usage of these two types of tokens, developers and administrators can create more secure and efficient applications and services.