Why is it important to claim ownership of an email domain before setting up an identity provider?

Claiming ownership of an email domain before setting up an identity provider is crucial because it establishes organizational control over user identities. When your organization claims an email domain, it signifies that you have the authority to manage access and ensure that only legitimate users associated with your domain can authenticate and log in to various systems. This control is essential for maintaining security, as it prevents unauthorized individuals from using email addresses that belong to your organization.

In the context of identity providers, having ownership over the email domain allows for the implementation of Single Sign-On (SSO) and other authentication mechanisms, enabling the organization to efficiently manage user access and identity verification. This helps streamline the onboarding process for employees while enhancing security and compliance with internal policies.

While legal compliance, access restriction, and user experience are all important factors in information security and user management, the primary focus of claiming ownership revolves around establishing a secure and controlled identity management system.