---
Title: "What Is SCIM? User Provisioning Explained"
Url: "https://computer.io/glossary/scim"
Topic: "Data and security"
Description: "SCIM (System for Cross-domain Identity Management) is an open standard for automating user provisioning between identity providers and apps."
---

# What is SCIM?

SCIM (System for Cross-domain Identity Management) is an open standard for automatically creating, updating and removing user accounts and groups across applications from a central identity provider, such as Okta or Microsoft Entra ID, so access stays in sync when people join, move or leave.

## What SCIM automates

| Event | SCIM action |
| --- | --- |
| New hire | Create account |
| Role change | Update groups |
| Departure | Deactivate account |

## SCIM vs SSO

SSO handles login; SCIM handles account lifecycle. They're often used together.

## Benefits

Faster onboarding, fewer orphaned accounts and better security.

## FAQ

### What does SCIM stand for?

System for Cross-domain Identity Management.

### Is SCIM the same as SAML?

No. SAML is for sign-in; SCIM is for provisioning.

### Which tools support SCIM?

Many SaaS apps and identity providers like Okta and Entra ID.

## Related terms

- [Single sign-on (SSO)](https://computer.io/glossary/single-sign-on)
- [Role-based access control (RBAC)](https://computer.io/glossary/role-based-access-control)
- [How do you automate software access requests?](https://computer.io/answers/how-to-automate-software-access-requests)

## How Computer helps

- [Service desk automation](https://devrev.ai/solutions/service-desk-automation)

## Further reading

- [Scim advantage](https://devrev.ai/blog/scim-advantage)