Single Sign-On (SSO) is a technology that simplifies the login process by allowing users to access multiple applications or websites with just one set of login credentials.

Today it is extremely common for individuals to interact with numerous applications and online services. SSO removes the hassle of remembering multiple usernames and passwords while enforcing organizational security best practices. 

But how does Single Sign-On work? In this article, we will explore the fundamentals of Single Sign-On and delve into the benefits it offers, ranging from enhanced user experience and productivity to improved security and simplified identity management. 

What Does Single Sign On Mean?

To understand how Single Sign-On works, let’s first clarify some key definitions.

1. Single Sign-On (SSO) is the overall mechanism that allows users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple applications or systems without the need to provide credentials repeatedly.

2. Identity Provider (IdP) is a system that manages and stores user identities and provides authentication services. The IdP acts as a trusted third party that authenticates users and shares relevant identity information with other service providers in the SSO ecosystem.

3. Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) enables the secure transfer of user authentication between an IdP and service providers in a SSO scenario by verifying the user’s identity and communicating it.

Single Sign-On works by using a central authentication Identity Provider (IdP) service to store and verify your login credentials. When you access a website or application that has integrated SSO, you are redirected to the IdP to authenticate your identity.

After successful authentication, the SAML then facilitates the exchange of authentication and authorization information between the IdP and service providers in a secure manner. SAML is often used as the underlying technology for implementing SSO solutions. This type of authentication structure allows for multiple types of data to be cross-checked to ensure that only authorized users are accessing the applications or services. Relevant data such as geo-location, IP addresses, device MAC addresses, and more are cataloged and remembered by the IdP to ensure maximum security.

There are many SSO vendors out there for businesses to choose from, most notably Microsoft, Google, and Okta. The individual choice will often depend on the business needs and budget of the business. However, implementing any SSO service immediately provides a positive impact for your business. 

What Advantage Does Single Sign On Offer?

Before the advent of Single Sign-On, users had to remember and enter separate usernames and passwords for each application they wanted to access. However, this was inconvenient for users and not secure for companies. According to a study by LastPass, 61% of users would reuse passwords across multiple sites, increasing the risk of organizational security breaches.

Single Sign-On was developed as a solution. SSO streamlined the authentication process and provided a more user-friendly experience and enhanced security. The key benefits are as follows: 

Benefits of Single Sign On

1. Improved user experience and productivity. The primary security benefits of Single Sign-On is reduced password fatigue. With SSO, users only need to remember one set of login credentials, reducing the likelihood of users choosing weak passwords or reusing the same password across multiple accounts.
   
   SSO also streamlines the login process, reducing the time and effort required for users to access multiple applications or websites. This can help increase productivity and reduce frustration for employees.
    

2. Increased compliance. Identity verification built into SSO protects users from password-related security risks like phishing attacks and data breaches. SSO also allows businesses to enforce stronger password policies, such as requiring longer and more complex passwords, or implementing multi-factor authentication. This helps ensure that companies are up to compliance standards. 
    

3. Increase cybersecurity. Single Sign-On also allows companies to do geo-location/IP tracking and MAC address identification. These capabilities ensure that organizations can identify suspicious login activities, see patterns and anomalies that could indicate fraudulent activities, and spot espionage. This also means that in the event of a security incident, companies can conduct forensic investigations easier. These benefits are an added layer to improving cybersecurity.
    

4. Simplified access management. SSO makes it easier to add or remove users from multiple applications at once. This helps ensure that only authorized users have access to sensitive company information, reducing the risk of data breaches and compliance issues. And this greatly streamlines employee onboarding, offboarding, or any organizational role changes, saving both time and money (see point 6).
    

5. Increased visibility. SSO allows security teams to monitor activity across multiple applications. This helps businesses identify possible indicators of compromise in accounts and prevent potential security threats. Single Sign-On can provide a log on human behavior including where they are or what applications they are using.You can see patterns from these insights to ensure that behavior aligns with the company and security protocols.
   
   Based on this information, you can grab even more insights by connecting Single Sign-On data into Fletch, to see the threats that correlate with the user behavior in your company.
    

6. Cost savings. SSO helps SMBs save money in a multitude of ways. A survey by TechValidate found that organizations that implemented SSO experienced an average reduction of 25% in IT helpdesk calls related to password issues. Implementing SSO can help SMBs save money by reducing the need for IT support for password resets and account lockout assistance. With fewer login issues, IT departments can focus on other critical tasks.
   
   Businesses can also use SSO logs to cross-check app usage. This allows firms to monitor app activity to reduce app licensing if users were provisioned an app but don't actually use it.
   
   Lastly, onboarding/offboarding efforts often take up a huge amount of time for IT teams. Single Sign-On can turn that weeks-long process into a couple hours and save a lot of money.

Takeaway

Single Sign-On (SSO) is a powerful technology that simplifies the authentication process for users and enhances security for businesses. By leveraging a central Identity Provider (IdP) and technologies like Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML), SSO allows users to authenticate once and access multiple applications or services. 

SSO has multiple advantages. It allows organizations to streamline authentication processes, reduce password-related risks, and focus on more critical tasks while providing a seamless and secure experience for their users. Embracing SSO is a step towards a more efficient and secure digital ecosystem. 

Learn more about why you need to use Single Sign-On to secure your organization.