Setup a service account for ZIRO Platform for Cisco in Webex Control Hub

Owned by Benoit Desnoyers
Last updated: Jul 18, 2023
3 min read

As part of the process ot enable access to Webex’s API, you will need to create a service account to make changes on behalf of your helpdesk users. This guide goes through the steps required to create a service account with or without Directory Synchronization.

Note: Although it is possible to use a real user’s administrator account, we highly recommend that you create a dedicate account. The service account will have the same rights as your user’s account, it will need to be re-authenticated every time your password changes and will perform changes on your behalf according to Webex’s audits.

How to create a service account without Directory Synchronization (No Directory integration or integration with Azure AD)

Tip: Most email providers allow plus addressing (aka email subaddressing) such as username+tag@domain.com where the tag can be any variables. If you do not want to create a mailbox for this service account, simply use the email of a mailing list or user with Webex Control Hub administrator access. You need a valid email address to onboard the account!

  1. Go to https://admin.webex.com/ and login to your tenant with a user account with administrator rights.

  2. Under “Management”, select “Users.”

  3. Click on “Manage users” and click on “Manually add users.”

  4. Select “Name and Email address” and enter the following information:

    1. First name: ZPC

    2. Last name: Service Account

    3. Email: A valid, unique email for the service account

    4. Click “+” next to the user’s entry. The account should appear underneath in a table.

    5. Click “Next” to continue.

  5. Remove all assigned licenses and click “Next”.

  6. Click “Add Users” and then “Close”.

  7. Back on the “Users” view, find the service account in the list and click on its name.

  8. Scroll down to “Administrator roles”, it should be set to “None”, click “None”.

  9. In the list, click on “User and device admin” (this will also check “Device admin”) and click “Save”.

  10. Check the email account associated with the user, you should have received a welcome email from Webex. Click on the “Activate” link in the email to continue.

  11. Enter a password and click “Continue”.

  12. Validate the name and click “Enter”.

Your Service account has now been created!

How to create a service account with Directory Synchronization

Organizations with Directory Connector will need to create their own service account via their Active Directory and wait for Webex to sync those changes. Once the account has been created, synced, and activated, follow these steps:

  1. Go to https://admin.webex.com/ and login to your tenant with a user account with administrator rights.

  2. Under “Management”, select “Users”.

  3. Use the “Search by name or email” field to find your service account and click on its name.

  4. Scroll down to “Administrator roles”, click “None”.

  5. In the list, click on “User and device admin” (this will also check “Device admin”) and click “Save”.

Your Service account has now been created!