Shared Signals Framework (SSF)

The Shared Signals Framework (SSF) is an OpenID Foundation framework that standardizes how security and identity systems share risk and event information in real time. Developed to support modern identity ecosystems, SSF provides a standardized method for transmitting security-related events between identity providers, applications, security platforms, and access management systems. Rather than relying on delayed log analysis or isolated alerts, SSF enables organizations to exchange structured event data immediately, helping security teams coordinate faster identity threat detection and cybersecurity threat response activities across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments.

At the core of the Shared Signals Framework is the use of Security Event Tokens (SETs), which communicate identity and security events in a secure, machine-readable format. These events can include compromised credentials, suspicious login behavior, session revocations, privilege changes, or policy violations. By allowing systems to automatically share and consume these signals, SSF supports automatic cybersecurity threat detection, helping organizations identify and respond to emerging risks more quickly and reducing the likelihood of unauthorized access or lateral movement. This interoperability is increasingly important as enterprises adopt more third-party services, APIs, SaaS applications, and distributed identity infrastructures.

SSF also plays an important role in Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR) strategies. ITDR platforms rely on accurate, real-time identity telemetry to identify compromised accounts, detect abnormal behavior, and enforce adaptive security controls. Through SSF integrations, organizations can centralize signals from multiple identity providers and security tools into a unified identity threat detection and investigation workflow. Security teams can then correlate identity events with broader access management activity to improve visibility, reduce investigation time, and automate remediation actions such as step-up authentication, privilege restrictions, session termination, or account lockouts when elevated risk is detected.

Imprivata extends these capabilities through Imprivata Privileged Access Management (PAM) and Identity Threat Detection and Response (ITDR). Shared Signals Framework support within Imprivata ITDR allows organizations to ingest Security Event Tokens (SETs) from third-party providers and surface them in Event Explorer for centralized investigation and analysis. These SET-driven events can also trigger adaptive authentication requirements and automated response actions, helping organizations strengthen access management security while improving operational efficiency. By supporting the SSF standard, Imprivata enables customers to integrate a broader range of risk signals into their identity ecosystem, supporting more informed access decisions, stronger identity threat detection, and faster cybersecurity threat response across privileged environments.