Self-Hosted Authentication
Self-hosted authentication is an approach where an organization or developer deploys and manages their own authentication infrastructure, such as identity providers, user databases, and security protocols, on their own servers or cloud instances. This contrasts with using third-party authentication services, giving full control over user data, security policies, and system integration. It typically involves implementing standards like OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, or SAML to handle user login, registration, and authorization.
Developers should consider self-hosted authentication when they need complete control over user data for compliance with regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, require deep customization of authentication flows, or operate in environments with strict security or privacy requirements. It is particularly useful for enterprise applications, internal tools, or projects where integrating with existing identity systems (e.g., Active Directory) is necessary, though it requires more maintenance and expertise compared to managed services.