Selecting and buying one is not a checklist—it is a decision that can define security posture for years. The Identity-Aware Proxy procurement process must strip away noise and focus on what matters: authentication strength, integration speed, and operational control.
Start by defining access policies at a granular level. The proxy must enforce identity verification before allowing any request to reach protected services. Demand support for modern standards like OAuth2, OpenID Connect, and SAML. Require single sign-on across all critical applications.
Next, evaluate compatibility. Your IAM stack should plug into the proxy without brittle workarounds. Test provider integrations, API endpoints, and group-based role enforcement. Confirm support for both on-prem and cloud environments.
Security is non-negotiable. Look for multi-factor enforcement, encrypted tunnels, and continuous session validation. Insist on detailed logging with real-time export to your SIEM. Measure how quickly you can detect and cut compromised sessions.