Backend session management

Sessions track user interactions with a resource within a given time frame. For example, the resource may be an application (app), or identity provider (IDP)—a service that creates, manages, and stores digital identities like Mosaic. By managing sessions, you can allow your users to securely access your application, without needing to re-authenticate for every request. This provides an enhanced identity experience that doesn't compromise on security.

Application sessions

An application session (also known as a local session) is created by the app when the user logs in. By default, a session ends when the user leaves the website or closes the browser. However, an app can extend the session by storing information in a cookie so the user won't need to authenticate each time they return. The session lifetime is managed by the app. Once the application session is over, the user must re-authenticate.

IDP sessions

An IDP session is created by Mosaic when a user logs into the app. Each IDP session is bound to a specific user. The IDP session is active until it expires, unless terminated before (see Session lifetime).

Backend sessions are created upon backend authentication and can be shared with other backend methods, i.e. you can add multiple authentications to a session. The backend authentication returns an ID of the session which you should store and process on your side. See Manage backend sessions

Typically, both the application session and IDP session are used to determine if the user is authenticated whenever access is requested. Once the application session is over, authentication is always required. Once the IDP session is over, the app may rely on the access token until it expires, but access can no longer be extended without re-authentication.

Tokens and sessions

Backend authentication can create a new session, and receive an access token, ID token, and refresh token from Mosaic. These tokens are bound to the session, user, and client. A valid access token is required to authorize user access to the application, even if there's an active session. The access token (JWT) contains the expiration, user ID, and authorization information—including which resource can be accessed and the user's roles to determine their permissions.

Session lifetime

The session is valid for 2 weeks. Sessions get extended every time new access tokens are issued within the session lifetime.

A session terminates if a logout is requested using Logout sessions API. A logout will delete a session, as well as revoke the corresponding refresh tokens.

Session cookie

Typically, a session cookie is used to store the information needed to obtain user access and authorization, without requiring the user to authenticate. Upon completing backend authentication, Mosaic creates a session and returns a session ID which you'll need to bind with the app session using cookies. Here are some security guidelines when creating application sessions using cookies: