Create self-signed BCFKS keystore for SAML

Generate a FIPS 140-2 compliant self-signed BCFKS keystore for use in SAML signing and encryption operations within the Multi-Provider SSO plugin.

Before you begin

Role required: sso_config_admin, business_rule_admin, script_include_admin

Do the following:

• Install Java on your machine and the key tool command-line tool accessible in your terminal (or "command prompt" if you are running it on a windows machine).
• Perform the following steps to create a keystore using FIPS-approved cryptographic algorithms (such as RSA 2048-bit or higher paired with SHA-256) that meets federal security requirements for identity federation and single sign-on implementations.

Procedure

1. Download the FIPS Provider Library.
   Note:

   Use the latest version bc-fips-2.1.0.jar. Make sure you use the most recent version.

2. Generate the FIPS-compliant keystore and certificate.
   1. Run the following key tool command to generate a self-signed certificate and keystore.

      Table 1. Key tool command

      Running on Linux/macOS	Running on Windows:
      keytool -genkeypair \ -providername BCFIPS \ -providerclass org.bouncycastle.jcajce.provider.BouncyCastleFipsProvider \ -providerpath <path_to_bc-fips-<version>>.jar \ -alias <key_alias> \ -keyalg RSA \ -keysize <key_size> \ -keystore <keystore_name>.bcfks \ -validity <validity> \ -storetype BCFKS \ -storepass <keystore_password>	keytool -genkeypair ^ -providername BCFIPS ^ -providerclass org.bouncycastle.jcajce.provider.BouncyCastleFipsProvider ^ -providerpath <path_to_bc-fips-<version>>.jar ^ -alias <key_alias> ^ -keyalg RSA ^ -keysize <key_size> ^ -keystore <keystore_name>.bcfks ^ -validity <validity> ^ -storetype BCFKS ^ -storepass <keystore_password>

   2. Replace placeholders (<...>) with appropriate values:
      • <path_to_bc-fips-<version>>.jar: Path to bc-fips-<version>.jar
      • <key_alias>: Alias for the key pair
      • <key_size>: 2048 or 4096
      • <keystore_name>.bcfks: Desired file name for the keystore
      • <validity>: Expiry in days
      • <keystore_password>: Password for the keystore
   3. Follow the prompts to enter additional DN (Distinguished Name) details for the certificate.
      Note:

      When you are prompted for a password for the key (alias), press the Enter or Return key to use the same password you used for the keystore. Do not give a different password.
   4. Securely store the key alias and keystore password.
      Provide these credentials while:

      • Creating the sys_certificate record for this keystore.
      • Configuring the SAML Identity Provider to provide the signing key or encryption key alias and password.

      Note:

      The key password is same as the keystore password specified during creation. Use the same password when configuring signing or encryption for the SAML Identity Provider.
3. Extract the Certificate Chain.

   Table 2. Key tool command

   Running on Linux/macOS	Running on Windows:
   keytool -exportcert \ -provider org.bouncycastle.jcajce.provider.BouncyCastleFipsProvider \ -providerpath <path_to_bc-fips-<version>>.jar \ -storetype BCFKS \ -keystore <keystore_name>.bcfks \ -storepass <keystore_password> \ -alias <key_alias> \ -rfc \ -file <file_name>.cer	keytool -exportcert ^ -provider org.bouncycastle.jcajce.provider.BouncyCastleFipsProvider ^ -providerpath <path_to_bc-fips-<version>>.jar ^ -storetype BCFKS ^ -keystore <keystore_name>.bcfks ^ -storepass <keystore_password> ^ -alias <key_alias> ^ -rfc ^ -file <file_name>.cer

   Replace placeholders (<...>) with appropriate values:

   • <path_to_bc-fips-<version>>.jar: Path to bc-fips-<version>.jar
   • <keystore_name>.bcfks: keystore file name as given in previous step
   • <keystore_password>: keystore password as given in previous step
   • <key_alias>: Key alias as given in previous step
   • <file_name>.cer: Desired file name for the extracted certificate in PEM format
4. Create a record on sys_certificate table.
   1. Log in to ServiceNow AI Platform.
   2. Navigate to All > Multi-Provider SSO > Administration > x509 Certificate.
   3. Click New to create a record.
   4. Select BCFKS keystore as Type.
   5. Attach the generated BCFKS keystore file (<keystore_name>.bcfks).
      Note:

      To configure certificate expiry notification, use Notify on expiration and Groups to notify on expiration, and set the notification timing using Warn in days to expire and Frequency.
   6. Fill in other required fields, including the keystore password provided during keystore creation.
   7. Click Validate Stores/Certificates related link to ensure the keystore is valid.
   8. Copy the sys_id of this record.