2 min read 480 words Updated Jun 08, 2026 Created Jun 08, 2026

Importing Users

If your organisation uses an LDAP directory (like Active Directory or OpenLDAP), you can connect Permiso to it so that users and groups are synced automatically. This means you don't have to manage two separate lists of people; Permiso stays in sync with your directory.

Note: LDAP sync is one option for bulk user management. For smaller teams or when you don't have an LDAP directory, inviting users via sign-up links is usually simpler.

How it works

When LDAP is enabled, Permiso reads users and groups from your directory at login time. Users log in through Permiso as normal (with a passkey), but their account details (name, email, group memberships) are kept in sync with the directory.

You can also configure Permiso to soft-delete users who are removed from the directory, which automatically disables their accounts.

Enable and configure LDAP

Go to Settings → Administration → Application Configuration and open the LDAP section.

FieldDescription
LDAP URLThe address of your LDAP server, e.g. ldap://ldap.example.com:389 or ldaps://ldap.example.com:636
Bind DNThe distinguished name Permiso uses to connect to the directory, e.g. cn=permiso,ou=service-accounts,dc=example,dc=com
Bind PasswordThe password for the bind account
Base DNThe search base for users and groups, e.g. dc=example,dc=com
Skip certificate verificationOnly enable this for internal LDAP servers with self-signed certificates

Attribute mapping

Permiso needs to know which LDAP attributes map to which user fields. The defaults work for most Active Directory setups, but you may need to adjust them for OpenLDAP or a custom schema.

Permiso fieldDefault LDAP attribute
Unique identifierobjectGUID
UsernamesAMAccountName
Emailmail
First namegivenName
Last namesn
Display namedisplayName
Profile picturejpegPhoto
Group membermember
Group identifierobjectGUID
Group namecn

Admin group

If you want users in a specific LDAP group to automatically become Permiso admins, set the Admin Group Name field to the name of that group.

Soft-deleting users

When Soft delete users is enabled, Permiso disables accounts for users who no longer appear in the directory. Their account records and audit history are preserved; they just can't log in.

Testing the connection

After saving your LDAP configuration, try logging in as a user who exists in the directory. If the login fails, check:

  • The LDAP URL is reachable from the Permiso server
  • The bind DN and password are correct
  • The base DN covers the part of the directory where your users live
  • The user filter is returning the right results (your LDAP server's admin tools can help you test this)