Single Sign-On (SSO) can make the lives of users easier and boost organizational security overall. As the name suggest, it means that you only have to login once, with that authentication granting you access to all linked services. This saves users valuable time as they do not need to manually login with every different service they use, without undermining account security. In fact, SSO can improve seciurity as users will not feel the need to use the same password across accounts.
Many users will really appreciate the convenience that single sign-on gives them as they tend to use a large number of different services and frequently switch between them. Having to log in each time can be very frustrating and get in the way of productivity.
How Does SSO Work?
Single Sign On is made possible through a trusted relationship between the party that holds the identity information and can authenticate the user, also known as the Identity Provider (IdP), and the service or application that the user is looking to access, which is the Service Provider (SP).
Instead of sending sensitive data back and forth across the internet, the IdP will authenticate a user’s identity, then generate a secure token. This is often done using an identity standard like a Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) or OpenID Connect (OIDC).
With SAML, the relationship between an IdP and the SPs is known as a circle of trust. It is this circle of trust that allows users to be granted access to the SP, as there is reasonable trust in the knowledge that the identity information provided by the IdP will be accurate and secure.
What Are The Benefits Of Using SSO?
Despite its wide adoption in recent years, the significance of SSO can sometimes be overlooked. As more and more enterprises move to the cloud and rely on third party services, it is becoming increasingly important for businesses to ensure efficiency and deliver a seamless customer experience.
SSO improves convenience, enhances security, and reduces password-related issues like forgetting credentials or reusing weak passwords. Additional SSO benefits include:
- More secure than passwords alone, especially when users don’t practice the best password hygiene
- Conveniently log into applications with one set of credentials instead of needing to memorize or manage many passwords
- Reduces attack surface; organizations only have to worry about securing one set of credentials
- Access applications quickly after authenticating just one time, eliminating the need for bothersome repeated logins
What Are The Potential Drawbacks?
While Single Sign-On (SSO) provides convenience and security benefits, it also comes with potential drawbacks. Some examples include:
- SSO is just one part of a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy; it doesn’t automatically prevent all attacks
- If the login credentials for SSO are compromised, this allows attackers to access all the services that are authorized with that SSO credential
- SSO cannot be implemented for every system
- Some organizations may be deterred from implementing SSO due to upfront implementation time and ongoing costs
When To Use SSO
SSO leverages centralized authentication, meaning that all enterprise and third-party apps can be accessed through a single authentication service that confirms a user’s identity using one set of credentials. This makes it a good solution for organizations whose employees require access to a variety of web applications for their job functions. In today’s working environment, that accounts for nearly all workers all the time.
Some related articles from Expert Insights that cover SSO include:
- Top Single Sign-On Solutions For Business
- Single Sign-On (SSO) Buyers’ Guide
- How Does Single Sign-On Work?
- How Secure Is Single Sign-On (SSO) For Businesses?
- Are There Security Risks For Using Single Sign-On?
