In today’s digital ecosystem, securing API communication is paramount. OAuth (Open Authorization) has become a widely adopted standard for delegated authorization, allowing users and applications to access resources without sharing credentials. Within SAP Cloud Platform Integration (SAP CPI), implementing OAuth ensures secure, token-based authentication for cloud and on-premise API integrations.
This article provides a detailed guide on implementing OAuth in SAP CPI, covering the fundamental concepts, configuration steps, and best practices to secure your integration scenarios.
OAuth is an open standard for authorization that enables third-party applications to obtain limited access to HTTP services on behalf of a user or system, without exposing passwords. It uses access tokens issued by an Authorization Server to grant access to protected resources.
OAuth 2.0, the most widely used version, supports several grant types such as:
In SAP CPI, Client Credentials and Authorization Code flows are commonly implemented to secure REST APIs and outbound calls.
OAuth for Outbound REST Calls
When SAP CPI acts as a client consuming external REST APIs that require OAuth 2.0 authentication, CPI must obtain and manage access tokens dynamically.
OAuth for Inbound REST Services
SAP CPI can expose REST APIs secured by OAuth, validating access tokens presented by clients.
Before configuring SAP CPI, register your integration application with the OAuth authorization server (e.g., SAP Identity Authentication Service, Google OAuth, Azure AD) to obtain:
In SAP CPI, navigate to Manage Security > OAuth 2.0 Client Credentials and create a new OAuth credential artifact:
This allows CPI to request access tokens during runtime.
For outbound REST adapter:
SAP CPI automatically manages token retrieval and renewal based on the configured OAuth credentials. Developers do not need to manually handle tokens within the integration logic.
Implementing OAuth in SAP CPI is essential to secure API integrations in modern cloud landscapes. By leveraging SAP CPI’s built-in OAuth support, integration developers can efficiently manage secure, token-based authentication flows, ensuring data protection and compliance with industry standards.
Mastering OAuth in SAP CPI empowers organizations to build robust, scalable, and secure integrations that connect SAP and third-party systems seamlessly.