Skip to content
IOP Science

Federated Access

Federated Access is a single sign-on (SSO) method of Authentication used primarily by libraries and academic institutions. It enables access to digital resources through a unique and secure login that is provided to users by their institution. Providing the institution has registered their account, this trusted login will allow users access to multiple publishers and organisations across various platforms.

If you have any further questions, please contact our Customer Service team.

Prior to logging in, your institution must be part of the supported Federation list. If it is not, your institution will need to work with its Federated Access supplier to obtain its Entity ID and Scope.

Once you have confirmed the Entity ID and Scope, send them to our Customer Services team. The team will register your federation details against your account and apply the necessary updates. You can then sign in with your institutional credentials to access your chosen content.

If you have any further questions, please contact our Customer Service team.

OpenAthens and Shibboleth are SSO authentication systems that enables users to log in to online resources, e.g. Academic journals or databases. They let institutions and organisations manage their access in a centralised place, ensuring easy access for users. They are both widely used systems worldwide and are designed to make federated access simple, easy and accessible.

If you have any further questions, please contact our Customer Service team.

What is an Entity ID and what is it used for?

An Entity ID is the unique identifier that enables SSO setups to distinguish a specific system or service provider. Typically, an Entity ID is a URL and must be exclusive within your identity environment. It works by acting as a ‘unique name tag’ on both sides to route requests, search for metadata, and ensure the login belongs to the correct system.

What is the scope used for?

The Entity ID connects to a specific server or provider, while the scope identifies the organisation or internet domain. The scope validates users against their institution, provides an additional layer of control, and tells the identity provider what information to request during sign-in. Essentially, the scope informs the identity provider what information is being requested when a user logs in.

If you have any further questions, please contact our Customer Service team.

Back to top