OIT implemented a Single Sign-On (SSO) service in 2012 using the Shibboleth Identity Provider (IdP). Since then, SSO has made accessing SMU services more efficient by reducing the need to log in separately to every online SMU service. Since that introduction, many significant improvements to user authentication technologies have been made. OIT plans to stay ahead of these advancements and introduce new features as they become available.
As part of this commitment, SMU will soon transition to Microsoft Entra ID as our primary SSO service. This change will allow us to take advantage of new user conveniences as well as the latest security and management capabilities. The Shibboleth IdP will continue to be a critical part of our environment and will support many existing SSO integrations but will do so as a subordinate to Entra ID.
Introducing the NetID!
One of the most significant differences that SMU users can expect as we make this change is that the SMU ID number will no longer be a valid username for SSO logins. Instead, Entra ID requires your NetID as your username. For most users, the NetID is your @smu.edu email address. OIT has created a new My Profile page, myprofile.SMU, where you can look up and verify your NetID.
Our existing SSO service also supports your NetID, so we encourage everyone to begin logging in everywhere at SMU with your NetID today!
The Future with Entra ID
With our move to Entra ID for SSO service, OIT will be able to introduce several important services relevant to the SMU community, including Jamf Connect, Microsoft Intune, and Windows Hello for Business. The timeframe for each of these new services will be announced in future updates.
Timeline
The timeline for completion of the Entra ID Implementation Project is late fall or early spring. For more information, please visit the Entra ID Implementation Project page.
For questions and comments about the Entra ID Implementation Project, please contact the project manager, Shanta Ball, at smball@smu.edu.
