OpenID Connect (OIDC) enhances data streaming platforms like Redpanda by providing a centralized, secure identity and access management layer built on OAuth 2.0, allowing for seamless integration with providers such as Okta and Keycloak. This setup supports single sign-on (SSO) and fine-grained access control, aligning with modern security practices without compromising performance. In Redpanda, OIDC authentication is available across various deployment methods but is limited to specific APIs in the Enterprise Self-Managed version. The blog post guides through configuring Redpanda's OIDC authentication using Docker Compose and Keycloak, detailing the steps to set up identity providers, configure Redpanda Console and APIs, manage user authorization through Access Control Lists (ACLs) and role-based access control, and test API access with OIDC tokens. It emphasizes the importance of audit logging in monitoring authentication and authorization events, noting the integration with the Open Cybersecurity Schema Framework (OCSF) for standardized audit logs. The post provides a comprehensive framework for securing Redpanda deployments while ensuring user-friendly operational flows.