Attribute Mapping

The Language of Identity

Attribute Mapping is the process of translating user data—names, roles, departments, and metadata—from a source identity provider into a format that the target application understands. Because different systems use different “languages” (schemas) for identity, mapping acts as the bridge that ensures a jobTitle in HR becomes role in SaaS, and that complex data like department_code is correctly transformed into human-readable labels.

MAP

Data Translation

Core Mission

Schema Harmonization. Ensuring that user profiles are consistent, complete, and accurate across the entire ecosystem, regardless of how the underlying APIs name their fields.

Like a Universal Translator: If an American engineer (Source) visits a French manufacturing plant (Target), they both understand the concept of a "Bolt" (The User). However, one says "Bolt" and the other says "Boulon." Attribute mapping is the translator standing between them, ensuring that when the American asks for a "3-inch Bolt," the Frenchman provides exactly the right "Boulon," even though the labels are different.

Multi-IDP Consolidation / SaaS Onboarding / HR Sync

Mapping Strategy Matrix

The complexity of mapping increases when you move from simple relaying to logic-based transformations.

Strategic Transformation Grid

Method	Complexity	Governance	Ideal For
Direct (1:1)	Low	Simple	Standard fields (Name, Email).
Expression-Based	Medium	Code-Like	Derived fields (Full Name = F + L).
Conditional	High	Policy-Driven	Environment-specific roles (Prod vs Dev).
Multi-Source	Highest	Complex	Profile enrichment from multiple APIs.

The Transformation Loop

A mature mapping engine processes identity data through four distinct lifecycle phases to ensure integrity.

1

Extract & Cleanse

Raw attributes are pulled from the source (e.g., AD, Okta, Workday). The engine "cleanses" the data—trimming whitespace, normalizing case, and handling null values.

2

Transform (Logic)

Expressions are applied. Example: Mapping `country_code` "US" to "North America" for a regional access group, or generating a unique `external_id` using a cryptographic hash.

3

Load & Verify

The mapped payload is sent to the target via SCIM or API. The engine verifies that the target accepted the write and that the mapping resulted in the expected state.

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Technical Mapping Guides

Master the design of resilient, scalable identity schemas.

SCIM Schema

Using the SCIM 2.0 standard for consistent attribute naming across cloud applications.

Claims Mapping

Translating directory attributes into OIDC claims for browser-based authentication.

JIT Mapping

Dynamic, on-the-fly attribute assignment during the user's first login experience.

Attribute Integrity

How precise mapping enables powerful Attribute-Based Access Control logic.

Next Steps

• Explore Regular Expressions for Mapping for advanced text manipulation.
• Review Privacy Filtering to ensure PII is masked during the mapping process.
• Check Custom Schema Extensions for mapping organization-specific metadata.