Operational Monitoring Design for External SaaS Connectivity
Hybrid monitoring design for cloud and on-prem integrations using API-based checks and synthetic testing across proxy and identity layers.
Context
The enterprise relied on multiple external SaaS services and on-prem systems for business-critical processes. Connectivity was routed through enterprise network and proxy layers, with limited end-to-end visibility into availability, authentication and integration health.
Problem
Connectivity and authentication issues were often detected by users first. Troubleshooting was slow due to fragmented monitoring across network, identity and application layers, and limited correlation between infrastructure and integration signals.
Constraints
- Hybrid environment combining on-prem and cloud services
- Outbound connectivity routed through enterprise proxies and firewalls
- OAuth2 token lifecycle and authentication dependencies
- Limited visibility into external SaaS internals
My role
Solution Architect responsible for designing and reviewing operational monitoring at application and integration points, validating cross-layer coverage, and aligning monitoring with operational and security requirements.
Solution
Defined an operational monitoring baseline that separates availability, authentication and network failure modes using layered checks (infrastructure, proxy, identity endpoints and synthetic probes), enabling faster triage without relying on SaaS internals.
Diagram placeholder (redacted / coming soon)
Key decisions
- Implemented layered monitoring using infrastructure signals, API-based health checks and synthetic HTTP probes
- Included OAuth2 token and authentication endpoint validation as part of service health
- Tuned alert thresholds to distinguish network, authentication and application failures
- Used proxy logs and aggregated monitoring data to support incident investigation
Outcome
- Improved early detection of connectivity and authentication issues
- Clear differentiation between availability, authentication and network failures
- Reduced false-positive alerts through targeted synthetic checks
- Faster incident triage due to clearer observability
- Improved operational confidence in external integrations