Okta Launches Cross App Access for Secure AI Agent Integrations
Quick Reads
- Okta’s Cross App Access (XAA) replaces static API keys with secure token-based app communication
- ISVs can now list XAA integrations on the Okta Integration Network (OIN)
- The framework works across three roles: requesting app, resource app, and identity provider
- Developers need a tested OIDC or SAML SSO integration before submitting to OIN
AI agents are no longer just experimental tools. They now operate inside enterprise systems, reading data, executing actions, and calling APIs on behalf of users. That shift, however, creates a serious security problem.
Most app-to-app connections today still rely on static API keys, scattered OAuth consent flows, or unmanaged integrations. Okta’s Cross App Access (XAA) is designed to fix that. It brings all cross-app connections under the enterprise identity layer, making them auditable, governed, and secure.
Okta Cross App Access works by replacing long-lived API keys and hardcoded secrets with real-time identity propagation between application vendors. When an AI agent or app requests data from an external system, XAA ensures that request flows through a verified identity handshake, not an unmanaged shortcut.
The framework involves three roles. The requesting app receives an ID token via SSO and exchanges it for an Identity Assertion Authorization Grant (ID-JAG). The resource app validates the ID-JAG and returns a scoped access token. Okta itself acts as the Identity Provider, authenticating the subject and enforcing access policies throughout.
For independent software vendors (ISVs), adopting Okta Cross App Access signals trust to enterprise buyers. It shows that an application fits into a secure, modern identity ecosystem. As enterprise security expectations grow, XAA readiness is fast becoming a competitive differentiator, especially for vendors targeting regulated sectors common across African markets, where compliance and governance are non-negotiable.
To get listed on the Okta Integration Network (OIN), ISVs must first publish an OIDC or SAML SSO integration. From there, developers can run token exchange tests, and once successful, email oin@okta.com to request XAA enablement. The email subject line should read: Request to enable XAA support for [App Name] on OIN.
Okta reviews SSO submissions, XAA metadata, and testing evidence before approving any listing. For apps already on the OIN, Okta updates the existing listing after approval. For new submissions, SSO review completes first, then XAA support is published alongside it.
Developers who need guidance can consult the SAML implementation guide, the OIDC implementation guide, and the OIN Wizard for step-by-step submission instructions. Additional support is also available via the Okta developer community.
As more enterprises across Africa and beyond adopt AI-driven automation, Okta Cross App Access gives developers the tools to build integrations that meet the highest security and governance standards, without compromise.
