SAP Knowledge Base Article - Public

3740009 - authentication for inbound to C4C in SuccessFactors → C4C replication: basic vs certificate support, SAP Cloud for Customer core applications

Symptom

  • Integration issue between SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central and SAP Cloud for Customer (C4C) with C4C as the receiver.
  • Authentication methods for inbound SOAP services to C4C are under review.
  • Basic Authentication via Communication Users is supported for inbound SOAP to C4C.
  • Client certificate–based authentication (mutual TLS) is reportedly not supported when C4C is the receiver in non‑CPI scenarios.

Environment

  • SAP Cloud for Customer core applications
  • Employee Central

Reproducing the Issue

  1. Integrate SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central with SAP Cloud for Customer (C4C) using the standard content with C4C as the receiver.
  2. Identify that Basic Authentication via Communication Users is supported, while client certificate (mutual TLS) is reported as not supported for direct inbound to C4C.

Cause

  • Supported inbound SOAP authentication options for C4C depend on the integration method: when using SAP Cloud Integration (CPI) as middleware, both Basic and certificate-based authentication are supported for C4C inbound; for non‑CPI paths, only Basic Authentication is supported.

Resolution

  1. Determine the integration path for EC → C4C (using SAP Cloud Integration (CPI) or a non‑CPI approach).
  2. If using SAP Cloud Integration (CPI): configure either Basic or client certificate–based authentication for the C4C inbound SOAP service in both CPI and the relevant C4C communication arrangement (for Employee Replication from SuccessFactors Employee Central).
  3. If not using CPI: configure Basic Authentication with a Communication User for the C4C inbound SOAP service, as certificate-based inbound is not supported in this setup.

Keywords

c4c inbound soap, basic authentication, communication user, client certificate, mutual tls, certificate-based authentication, cpi, SAP Cloud integration, SuccessFactors employee central, employee replication, EC to C4C, authentication support, inbound integration, soap services, receiver system , KBA , LOD-CRM-INT-EC , Integration of C4C with Employee Central , How To

Product

SAP Cloud for Customer core applications all versions