Understanding Salesforce External Credentials
In today’s fast-paced digital world, secure integrations are not just optional—they’re essential. That’s where Salesforce external credentials come in. This powerful feature simplifies how Salesforce connects with external systems while safeguarding sensitive authentication data. Whether you’re building REST APIs, using Apex callouts, or integrating with AWS or Google Cloud, external credentials ensure those connections stay secure and compliant.
What Are External Credentials in Salesforce?
Salesforce external credentials are a security feature designed to store and manage credentials securely when Salesforce connects to external systems. They allow admins to configure authentication details without hardcoding sensitive information in Apex or storing secrets in plain text.
This concept works alongside Named Credentials, providing an abstraction layer that simplifies external callouts by encapsulating the authentication mechanism and connection details.
Key Use Cases for External Credentials
External credentials shine in the following scenarios:
- REST API Integrations: When Salesforce needs to call an external API (e.g., payment gateways, CRMs).
- Secure Callouts: Apex callouts to services like AWS Lambda or Google Cloud Functions.
- External Services in Flows: For no-code integrations using Salesforce Flow.
These use cases benefit from the flexibility and centralized control external credentials offer.
Benefits of Using External Credentials
Here’s why Salesforce external credentials are gaining traction:
- Centralized Management: Store and manage secrets in one place.
- Enhanced Security: Supports advanced auth protocols and secret rotation.
- Seamless Integrations: Compatible with low-code tools like Flow and standard Apex callouts.
- Compliance Ready: Helps meet security standards like SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR.
Prerequisites for Implementing External Credentials
Before diving in, ensure your org meets the requirements:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Salesforce Edition | Available in Enterprise, Unlimited, and Performance editions |
| Permissions Needed | Modify All Data, Manage External Credential |
| Feature Activation | Named Credentials must be enabled |
Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up External Credentials
Let’s walk through the setup:
- Create an External Credential
Go to Setup > External Credentials and click “New”. Define the type of authentication and save. - Define Authentication Provider
Depending on your service, you might use OAuth, JWT, or Custom. - Set Up Named Credential
Link the external credential and configure the endpoint and HTTP method. - Map Principals to Users
Use principal mappings to define who uses which credentials. - Test Your Connection
Use built-in testing to validate the connection is successful.
Authentication Protocols Supported
Salesforce supports several authentication methods:
- OAuth 2.0: Best for APIs like Google or Facebook.
- JWT Bearer Tokens: Ideal for server-to-server integrations.
- Custom Auth: When a standard protocol isn’t available.
Each type has its pros and ideal use cases depending on the external service.
Named Credentials vs External Credentials
| Feature | Named Credentials | External Credentials |
|---|---|---|
| Authentication | Simple methods | Advanced auth mechanisms |
| Flexibility | Limited | Highly configurable |
| Security | Moderate | Enhanced with principal mapping |
| Best Use | Quick setups | Enterprise-level integrations |
Use Named Credentials for simpler integrations. Choose External Credentials for more secure, scalable needs.
Managing Secrets Securely
Always follow best practices when dealing with secrets:
- Never hardcode credentials in Apex.
- Use Credential Manager to store and rotate secrets.
- Consider integrating with AWS Secrets Manager or Google Secret Manager via middleware.
Common Errors and How to Troubleshoot
Here are some common issues and solutions:
| Error | Fix |
|---|---|
| Token Expired | Ensure proper refresh token strategy |
| Invalid Principal Mapping | Double-check user-to-principal assignments |
| Unauthorized | Check permissions and endpoint access settings |
Logging and debugging tools in Salesforce Setup help track integration failures.
External Credentials with AWS, Google, and Azure
Each cloud provider has unique settings:
- AWS: Use IAM roles with JWT or Signature-based methods.
- Google: OAuth 2.0 setup with Google Workspace or GCP projects.
- Azure: Use client ID and secret-based OAuth with Microsoft Entra ID.
Salesforce documentation offers setup guides tailored to each platform.
Using External Credentials with Flow and Apex
In Flows:
- Use External Services to import APIs and bind external credentials.
In Apex:
apexCopyEditHttpRequest req = new HttpRequest();
req.setEndpoint('callout:MyNamedCredential/service/data');
req.setMethod('GET');
HttpResponse res = new Http().send(req);
This abstracts away token handling and simplifies callouts significantly.
External Credential Policies and Compliance
When you use external credentials:
- You comply more easily with HIPAA, GDPR, and SOX.
- Enable audit logging for all outbound connections.
- Use least privilege when assigning credentials.
These steps reduce your risk surface and build trust with customers and regulators.
Best Practices for Secure Integrations
Here’s a checklist for maximizing security:
- ✅ Use different credentials per user/role
- ✅ Rotate secrets regularly
- ✅ Enable MFA for users managing credentials
- ✅ Avoid storing credentials in plain text
- ✅ Monitor all callouts using Event Monitoring
Limitations and Known Issues
Be aware of these constraints:
- Doesn’t support SOAP callouts (yet)
- Some third-party APIs may need custom wrappers
- Rate limits apply for external callouts
Salesforce is continually improving the feature, but keep these in mind during planning.
