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PingAM Deep Dive
The aim of this course is to showcase the key features and capabilities of the versatile and powerful PingAM (AM), formerly known as ForgeRock® Access Management. It provides the student with the...
Read MoreOverview
The aim of this course is to showcase the key features and capabilities of the versatile and powerful PingAM (AM), formerly known as ForgeRock® Access Management. It provides the student with the knowledge and confidence to manage their own environment. It is accepted that this course is not able to demonstrate all the features and capabilities of AM. Further information and guidance can be found in the documentation and knowledge base in the online repositories at: Backstage https://backstage.forgerock.com.
- This course revision is based on version 7 of AM.
Skills Gained
Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:
- Start with an unprotected website and end up with a fully functional access management solution where every user trying to access the website is redirected to AM for authentication
- Improve access management security in AM with multi-factor authentication (MFA), context-based risk analysis, and continuous risk checking
- Implement OAuth 2.0 (OAuth2) based protocols; namely, OAuth2 and OpenID Connect 1.0 (OIDC), to enable low-level devices and mobile applications to make requests that access resources belonging to a subscriber. AM can be configured to function as an OIDC client and delegate authentication to social media OIDC providers
- Demonstrate federation across entities using SAML v2.0 (SAML2) with AM
- Install a new AM instance configured with external directory server data stores as the foundation for an AM cluster
Who Can Benefit
The target audiences for this course include:
- PingAM Administrators
- System Integrators
- System Consultants
- System Architects
- System Developers
Prerequisites
The following are the prerequisites for successfully completing this course:
- Completion of the PingAM Essentials course available at: https://backstage.forgerock.com/university/forgerock/on-demand/path/TGVhcm5pbmdQYXRoOjI%3D/chapter/Q291cnNlOjE1NzIy
- Knowledge of UNIX/Linux commands
- An understanding of HTTP and web applications
- A basic understanding of how directory servers function
- A basic understanding of REST
- A basic knowledge of Java based environments would be beneficial, but no programming experience is required
Course Details
Chapter 1: Enhancing Intelligent Access
Start with an unprotected website and end up with a fully functional access management solution where every user trying to access the website is redirected to AM for authentication.
Lesson 1: Exploring Authentication Mechanisms
Explore the AM admin UI, view the role of cookies used during and after authentication, and describe authentication trees and nodes:
- Introduce AM authentication
- Understand realms
- Describe authentication life cycle
- Explain sessions
- Examine session cookies
- Access the lab environment
- Examine an initial AM installation
- Configure a realm and examine AM default authentication
- Experiment with session cookies
- Describe the authentication mechanisms of AM
- Create and manage trees
- Explore tree nodes
- Create a login tree
- Test the login tree
Lesson 2: Protecting a Website With PingGateway
Show how PingGateway, formerly known as ForgeRock® Identity Gateway, integrated with AM, can protect a website:
- Present AM edge clients
- Describe PingGateway functionality as an edge client
- Review the FEC website protected by PingGateway
- Integrate the FEC website with AM
- Observe the PingGateway token cookie
- (Optional) Review PingGateway configuration
- Authenticate identities with AM
- Create an authentication tree with an LDAP Decision node
- Integrate identities in AM with an identity store
- Integrate an identity store with AM
Lesson 3: Controlling Access
Create security policies to control which users can access specific areas of the website:
- Describe entitlements with AM authorization
- Define AM policy components
- Define policy environment conditions and response attributes
- Describe the process of policy evaluation
- Implement access control on a website
Chapter 2: Improving Access Management Security
Improve access management security in AM with MFA, context-based risk analysis, and continuous risk checking.
Lesson 1: Increasing Authentication Security
Increase authentication security using MFA:
- Describe MFA
- Register a device
- Include recovery codes
- Examine OATH authentication
- Implement time-based one-time password (TOTP) authentication
- (Optional) Implement HMAC-based one-time password (HOTP) authentication
- Examine Push notification authentication
- (Optional) Implement Push notification authentication
- Implement passwordless WebAuthn
- (Optional) Implement passwordless WebAuthn
- Examine HOTP authentication using email or SMS
- (Optional) Implement HOTP authentication using email or SMS
Lesson 2: Modifying a User’s Authentication Experience Based on Context
Describe how AM can take into account the context of an authentication request in order to make access decisions:
- Introduce context-based risk analysis
- Describe device profile nodes
- Determine the risk based on the context
- Implement a browser context change script
- Lock and unlock accounts
- Implement account lockout
Lesson 3: Checking Risk Continuously
Review the AM tools used to check the risk level of requests continuously:
- Introduce continuous contextual authorization
- Describe step-up authentication
- Implement step-up authentication flow
- Describe transactional authorization
- Implement transactional authorization
- Prevent users from bypassing the default tree
Chapter 3: Extending Services Using OAuth2-Based Protocols
Implement OAuth2 based protocols; namely, OAuth2 and OIDC, to enable low-level devices and mobile applications to make requests that access resources belonging to a subscriber. AM can be configured to function as an OIDC client and delegate authentication to social media OIDC providers.
Lesson 1: Integrating Applications With OAuth2
Integrate clients using OAuth2 by demonstrating the use of the OAuth2 Device Code grant type flow with AM configured as the OAuth2 authorization server (AS):
- Discuss OAuth2 concepts
- Describe OAuth2 tokens and codes
- Describe refresh tokens, macaroons, and token modification
- Request OAuth2 access tokens with OAuth2 grant types
- Explain OAuth2 scopes and consent
- Configure OAuth2 in AM
- Configure AM as an OAuth2 provider
- Configure AM with an OAuth2 client
- Test the OAuth2 Device Code grant type flow
Lesson 2: Integrating Applications With OIDC
Integrate an application using OIDC and the Authorization grant type flow with AM as an OIDC provider:
- Introduce OIDC
- Describe OIDC tokens
- Explain OIDC scopes and claims
- List OIDC grant types
- Create and use an OIDC script
- Create an OIDC claims script
- Register an OIDC client and configure the OAuth2 Provider settings
- Test the OIDC Authorization Code grant type flow
Lesson 3: Authenticating OAuth2 Clients and using mTLS in OAuth2 for PoP
Authenticate OAuth2 clients with AM using various approaches and obtain certificate-bound access tokens using mutual TLS (mTLS) to provide token proof-of-possession (PoP):
- Examine OAuth2 client authentication
- Examine OAuth2 client authentication using JWT profiles
- Examine OAuth2 client authentication using mTLS
- Authenticate an OAuth2 client using mTLS
- Examine certificate-bound PoP when mTLS is configured
- Obtain a certificate-bound access token
Lesson 4: Transforming OAuth2 Tokens
Request and obtain security tokens from an OAuth2 authorization server, including security tokens that employ impersonation and delegation semantics:
- Describe OAuth2 token exchange
- Explain token exchange types and purpose for exchange
- Describe token scopes and claims
- Implement a token exchange impersonation pattern
- Implement a token exchange delegation pattern
- Configure token exchange in AM
- Configure AM for token exchange
- Test token exchange flows
Lesson 5: (Optional) Implementing Social Authentication
Provide a way for users to register and authenticate to AM using a social account:
- Delegate registration and authentication to social media providers
- Implement social registration and authentication with Google
Chapter 4: Federating Across Entities Using SAML2
Demonstrate federation across entities using SAML2 with AM.
Lesson 1: Implementing SSO Using SAML2
Demonstrate single sign-on (SSO) functionality across organizational boundaries:
- Discuss SAML2 entities and profiles
- Explain the SAML2 flow from the identity provider (IdP) point of view
- Examine SSO across SPs
- Configure AM as an IdP and integrate with third-party service providers (SPs)
- Examine SSO between an SP and IdP and across SPs
Lesson 2: Delegating Authentication Using SAML2
Delegate authentication to a third-party IdP using SAML2 and examine the metadata:
- Explain the SSO flow from the SP point of view
- Describe the metadata content and purpose
- Configure AM as a SAML2 SP and integrate with a third-party IdP
Chapter 5: Installing and Deploying AM
Install a new AM instance configured with external directory server data stores as the foundation for an AM cluster, modify the AM configuration to harden security, upgrade an AM instance to a new version, and deploy the Ping Identity Platform, formerly known as the ForgeRock® Identity Platform, to the Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Lesson 1: Installing and Upgrading AM
Install AM using interactive and command-line methods creating the foundations for a cluster topology, and upgrade an AM 7.0.1 instance to AM 7.3:
- Plan deployment configurations
- Prepare before installing AM
- Deploy AM
- Outline tasks and methods to install AM
- Install AM with the web wizard
- Install an AM instance with the web wizard
- Install AM and manage configuration with Amster
- Install Amster
- Describe the AM bootstrap process
- Upgrade an AM instance
- Upgrade AM with the web wizard
- (Optional) Upgrade AM with the configuration tool
Lesson 2: Hardening AM Security
Explore a few default configuration and security settings that need to be modified before migrating to a production-ready solution:
- Harden AM security
- Adjust default settings
- Harden AM security
- Describe secrets, certificates, and keys
- Describe keystores and secret stores
- Manage the AM keystore, aliases, and passwords
- Configure and manage secret stores
- Configure an HSM secret store to sign OIDC ID tokens
- Describe the monitoring tools
- Describe the audit logging
- Describe debug logging
- Capture troubleshooting information
- Capture troubleshooting information
Lesson 3: Clustering AM
Create an AM cluster with a second AM instance added to the first AM instance that has already been installed:
- Explore high availability solutions
- Scale AM deployments
- Describe AM cluster concepts
- Create an AM cluster
- Prepare the initial AM cluster
- Install another AM server in the cluster
- Test AM cluster failover scenarios
- (Optional) Modify the cluster to use client-side sessions
Lesson 4: Deploying the Identity Platform to the Cloud
Deploy the Identity Platform into a cluster in a Google Kubernetes Environment (GKE):
- Describe the Identity Platform
- Prepare your deployment environment
- Deploy and access the Identity Platform
- Access and authenticate your GCP account
- Prepare to deploy the Identity Platform
- Deploy the Identity Platform with the Cloud Development Kit (CDK)
- Remove the Identity Platform deployment
Schedule
6 options available
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May 5, 2025 - May 9, 2025 (5 days)
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Jun 9, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025 (5 days)
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Jul 21, 2025 - Jul 25, 2025 (5 days)
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Sep 8, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025 (5 days)
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Oct 20, 2025 - Oct 24, 2025 (5 days)
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Dec 1, 2025 - Dec 5, 2025 (5 days)
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FAQ
Does the course schedule include a Lunchbreak?
Classes typically include a 1-hour lunch break around midday. However, the exact break times and duration can vary depending on the specific class. Your instructor will provide detailed information at the start of the course.
What languages are used to deliver training?
Most courses are conducted in English, unless otherwise specified. Some courses will have the word "FRENCH" marked in red beside the scheduled date(s) indicating the language of instruction.
What does GTR stand for?
GTR stands for Guaranteed to Run; if you see a course with this status, it means this event is confirmed to run. View our GTR page to see our full list of Guaranteed to Run courses.
How do I find an Ascendient Learning training location?
We have training locations across the United States and Canada - View a complete list of classroom training locations.
Which delivery formats are available?
At Ascendient Learning, we offer training that is Instructor-Led, Online, Virtual, and Self-Paced.
Does Ascendient Learning deliver group training?
Yes, we provide training for groups, individuals and private on sites. View our group training page for more information.
What does vendor-authorized training mean?
As a vendor-authorized training partner, we offer a curriculum that our partners have vetted. We use the same course materials and facilitate the same labs as our vendor-delivered training. These courses are considered the gold standard and, as such, are priced accordingly.
Is the training too basic, or will you go deep into technology?
It depends on your requirements, your role in your company, and your depth of knowledge. The good news about many of our learning paths, you can start from the fundamentals to highly specialized training.
How up-to-date are your courses and support materials?
We continuously work with our vendors to evaluate and refresh course material to reflect the latest training courses and best practices.
Are your instructors seasoned trainers who have deep knowledge of the training topic?
Ascendient Learning instructors have an average of 27 years of practical IT experience and have also served as consultants for an average of 15 years. To stay current, instructors spend at least 25 percent of their time learning new, emerging technologies and courses.
Do you provide hands-on training and exercises in an actual lab environment?
Lab access is dependent on the vendor and the type of training you sign up for. However, many of our top vendors will provide lab access to students to test and practice. The course description will specify lab access.
Will you customize the training for our company’s specific needs and goals?
We will work with you to identify training needs and areas of growth. We offer a variety of training methods, such as private group training, on-site of your choice, and virtually. We provide courses and certifications that are aligned with your business goals.
How do I get started with certification?
Getting started on a certification pathway depends on your goals and the vendor you choose to get certified in. Many vendors offer entry-level IT certification to advanced IT certification that can boost your career. To get access to certification vouchers and discounts, please contact info@ascendientlearning.com.
Will I get access to content after I complete a course?
You will get access to the PDF of course books and guides, but access to the recording and slides will depend on the vendor and type of training you receive.
How do I request a W9 for Ascendient Learning?
View our filing status and how to request a W9.
Reviews
I found the labs to be the most useful since I am a hands on learning kind of person
Craig is a wonderful teacher and willing to help with any and all issues during the course.
The hands-on learning was incredibly useful since it allowed me to try out what was being taught.
The practical lab exercises and that we had a VM running the actual software to follow along and play with.
The discussions and labs involving Federation and SAML were the most interesting to me, but I also enjoyed the presentations explaining the concepts of Realms, Policies, Web Agents, Identity Stores, etc.
