By completing this course, learners will:

• Implement OAuth 2.1 authorization flows.

• Use OIDC for authentication and identity.

• Manage access, refresh, and ID tokens securely.

• Integrate with external identity providers.

• Secure APIs, web apps, and mobile apps.

• Apply security best practices in real deployments.

Course Syllabus

Module 1: Introduction to OAuth 2.1 & OIDC

• What is OAuth and OIDC?

• OAuth 2.0 vs OAuth 2.1

• OIDC as the identity layer on top of OAuth

• Real-world adoption and use cases

Module 2: Core Concepts

• Roles: Resource Owner, Client, Authorization Server, Resource Server

• Tokens: Access, Refresh, and ID Tokens

• Scopes and claims

• PKCE and security updates in OAuth 2.1

Module 3: Authorization Flows

• Authorization Code Flow (with PKCE)

• Client Credentials Flow

• Device Authorization Flow

• Implicit Flow (deprecated)

Module 4: OpenID Connect Essentials

• OIDC discovery and metadata

• ID token structure and validation

• Standard claims and user profile

• Hybrid flow and authentication requests

Module 5: Securing Applications

• Web applications with OAuth 2.1

• SPAs and mobile apps with PKCE

• Securing REST APIs with OAuth scopes

• Role-based and claim-based access

Module 6: Integration with Identity Providers

• Using Google and Microsoft as OIDC providers

• Auth0, Okta, and Keycloak integration

• Federated identity and SSO

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) with OIDC

Module 7: Advanced Features

• Token introspection and revocation

• Refresh token rotation

• JWT and JWS/JWE fundamentals

• Consent management and delegated access

Module 8: Deployment & Security

• Best practices for token storage

• Securing frontends vs backends

• Compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, SOC2)

• Logging, monitoring, and auditing

Module 9: Real-World Projects

• Secure a REST API with OAuth 2.1

• Implement login with Google using OIDC

• Build an SSO system for a SaaS platform

• Mobile app authentication with PKCE flow

Module 10: Best Practices & Future Trends

• OAuth 2.1 adoption roadmap

• OIDC beyond web apps (IoT, enterprise apps)

• Security pitfalls and mitigations

• The future of identity and zero trust

Learners will receive a Certificate of Completion from Uplatz, validating their expertise in OAuth 2.1 and OIDC. This certification demonstrates readiness for roles in application security, identity management, and full-stack engineering.

OAuth 2.1 and OIDC skills prepare learners for roles such as:

• Identity & Access Management Engineer

• Backend Developer (secure APIs)

• Full-Stack Developer (auth-enabled apps)

• Cloud Security Engineer

• Software Engineer (enterprise or SaaS apps)

These skills are highly sought after in enterprises, SaaS platforms, fintech, healthcare, and any industry that requires secure user authentication and authorization.

1. What is OAuth 2.1?

Answer: OAuth 2.1 is the latest update to the OAuth standard. It consolidates best practices, removes insecure flows like the Implicit Flow, and mandates PKCE for better security, especially in mobile and SPA applications.

2. What is OpenID Connect (OIDC)?

Answer: OIDC is an identity layer built on top of OAuth 2.0/2.1. It adds authentication by issuing an ID Token (a JWT) that contains verified information about the user, such as their identity and profile claims.

3. What’s the difference between OAuth and OIDC?

Answer: OAuth is about authorization—granting applications access to resources. OIDC is about authentication—verifying who the user is. Together, they provide secure login and access control.

4. What is PKCE and why is it important?

Answer: PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) is a security enhancement for OAuth authorization flows. It protects against code interception attacks by requiring a secret verifier during token exchange, making it critical for SPAs and mobile apps.

5. What is an ID Token in OIDC?

Answer: An ID Token is a JWT (JSON Web Token) issued by the OIDC provider. It contains user identity claims (like name, email, or unique ID) and is digitally signed to prove authenticity.

6. How do refresh tokens improve user experience?

Answer: Refresh tokens let applications request new access tokens without requiring the user to log in again, supporting long-lived sessions while keeping short-lived access tokens secure.

7. What are the benefits of OAuth 2.1 / OIDC?

Answer:

• Strong industry-standard security

• Broad adoption across platforms

• Easy integration with providers like Google, Auth0, or Azure AD

• Reduced need for custom authentication logic

8. What are common challenges with OAuth 2.1 / OIDC?

Answer:

• Initial setup and configuration complexity

• Secure token storage (especially in browsers)

• Handling token revocation and rotation

• Avoiding vulnerabilities in poorly implemented flows

9. Where is OAuth/OIDC being adopted?

Answer: OAuth and OIDC are used everywhere: SaaS platforms, enterprise applications, healthcare, finance, government portals, mobile apps, and APIs that require secure authentication and authorization.

10. Why is OAuth 2.1 considered more secure than OAuth 2.0?

Answer: OAuth 2.1 is more secure because it:

• Deprecates insecure flows like Implicit Flow

• Enforces PKCE for all public clients

• Provides clearer guidelines for token handling

• Reduces attack surfaces in SPAs and mobile apps