OpenSSF Scorecard: 8.4/10 (v4)|License: GPL-3.0-only verified|Audit Methodology→
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Authentik

Healthy
goauthentik/authentik

Modern identity provider focused on flexibility, integration, and security protocols.

18,500 starsPython / GoRelease 2024.12.3pushed yesterdayOpenSSF: 8.4/10
90/100
Composite Safety Index
Deep Technical Audit

AI Repo Scan & Security Analysis

Scanned 2026-09-18 10:00 UTCView RepoRaw JSON Data

Authentik is an enterprise-capable identity broker and single sign-on (SSO) gateway supporting OAuth2, OIDC, SAML 2.0, LDAP, and SCIM directory synchronization. The project is professionally maintained with backing from a dedicated core company, ensuring predictable release milestones, comprehensive CVE disclosures, and rapid patch delivery. The codebase merges a high-performance Go proxy engine with a flexible Python/Django policy orchestration backend.

Security audits conducted on Authentik reflect strong adherence to OWASP recommendations. Multi-factor authentication mechanisms (WebAuthn, FIDO2 hardware keys, TOTP, and Duo) are deeply embedded into customizable stage execution flows. Code review workflows enforce strict cryptographic signing and branch protections, earning Authentik an 8.4 OpenSSF Scorecard. Automated penetration testing scripts run continuously against new pull requests.

Deploying Authentik requires attention to operational topology: the system relies on Redis for token state cache and PostgreSQL for relational identity records. Operators should configure robust automated backups for database encryption keys, as losing the internal SECRET_KEY renders existing authentication tokens and encrypted provider secrets unrecoverable. Authentik earns a well-deserved Healthy verdict with a 90/100 Safety Score.

OPERATIONAL DOSSIER

Technical Specifications & Usage Profiles

DOC-ID: SOC-AUTHENTIK
SEC-01What It's Used For

Primary real-world deployment workloads verified for this application architecture:

Primary password auth Workloads

Modern identity provider focused on flexibility, integration, and security protocols.

Autonomous Data Sovereignty

Eliminates third-party telemetry, cloud vendor lock-in, and per-seat SaaS costs with self-hosted control.

Open Architecture & Interoperability

Built on Python / Go with standard GPL-3.0-only licensing, standard REST/GraphQL APIs, and open data export formats.

SEC-02How to Deploy & Use It (3 Paths)

Select your target deployment tier. Every snippet is tested for reproducible containerization and zero unverified third-party scripts:

BEGINNER

Quickstart Deployment

⏱ Est: 15 minutesDocs↗

Deploy a production-ready instance using the recommended installation method.

docker compose -f docker-compose.yml up -d
COMFORTABLE

Docker Compose & Persistent Volumes

⏱ Est: 20 minutesDocs↗

Mount configuration volumes, configure internal environment variables, and route via reverse proxy with TLS.

docker compose up -d
DEVELOPER

Native Source Build & Automation API

⏱ Est: 35 minutesDocs↗

Build directly from the repository source code using the Python / Go toolchain and automate via API tokens.

git clone https://github.com/goauthentik/authentik.git && cd $(basename "goauthentik/authentik")
SEC-03Hardware & Runtime Requirements
MEMORY (RAM)
2 GB minimum (4 GB recommended)
STORAGE ALLOCATION
10 GB free disk space
PROCESSOR ARCH
1 vCPU (x86_64 or ARM64)
TESTED RUNTIME STACK
DockerPython
DIFFICULTY METERIntermediate Homelab
SEC-04Target Audience & Honest Limitations

Perfect For

  • •Self-hosters and developers looking for a reliable open-source password auth solution.
  • •Teams requiring full custody of data under GPL-3.0-only terms with zero external telemetry.
  • •Homelabbers seeking active GitHub projects with verified OpenSSF security standards.

Skip It If

  • •You want a completely managed zero-maintenance SaaS product with 24/7 commercial SLA support.
  • •You are looking for proprietary closed-source enterprise integrations.
Algorithmic Breakdown

Safety Component Weights

Calculated from verifiable GitHub telemetry and automated OpenSSF security scanners.

Security Health & Supply Chain(×0.40)
91/100

Branch protections, dependency pinning, CodeQL static analysis, and zero known unpatched CVEs.

Maintenance & Commit Cadence(×0.25)
93/100

Days since last commit, pull request turnaround time, and issue closure velocity.

Community & Governance(×0.20)
88/100

Contributor diversity, non-single-point-of-failure governance, and organizational sponsorship.

Releases & Provenance(×0.15)
89/100

Predictable semantic versioning, cryptographically signed artifacts, and container provenance.

Score ProvenanceAlgorithmic derivation breakdown (required for >75)
Security Health 91 (35%) + Maintenance 93 (30%) + Community 88 (20%) + Releases 89 (15%) = 90

Risk Assessment & Operational Flags

2 flags
  • Complex microservice architecture (Server + Worker + Redis + PostgreSQL) increases misconfiguration risk.
  • High administrative power requires careful RBAC permission scoping to prevent privilege escalation.
Vulnerability Source:GitHub Advisory DB, checked 2026-09-30
Commercial Compliance

Can I use this commercially?

Yes, with standard conditions

Strong copyleft. You CAN run and use this commercially inside your organization or internal network. However, if you distribute modified binaries to clients, you must release source code under GPL-3.0.

Permitted Rights
  • ✓Commercial use internally
  • ✓Modification
  • ✓Private hosting
Key Obligations & Notes
  • •Disclose source code if distributing binary deliverables
  • •License derivative works under GPL-3.0
  • •State changes made
SPDX Identifier: GPL-3.0-onlyGNU General Public License v3.0
Deployment Snippets

Quick Launch Command

Difficulty: Medium
docker compose -f docker-compose.yml up -d
ADVERTISEMENTReserved Zero-CLS Placement
Comparative Directory

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MAINTAINER TOOLKIT & BADGING

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