04/17/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/17/2024 13:47
Single sign-on (SSO) is an authentication tool that enables users to securely access multiple applications and services using one set of credentials, eliminating the need to remember different passwords for each service.
In today's remote work ecosystem, where employees rely on software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications like Slack, Google Workspace, and Zoom, SSO provides a simple pop-up widget or login page with just one password that provides access to every integrated app.
SSO puts an end to the days of remembering and entering multiple passwords and eliminates the frustration of having to reset forgotten passwords. Users can also access a range of platforms and apps without having to log in each time.
SSO is built on the concept of federated Identity, which is the sharing of Identity attributes across trusted but autonomous systems. When a user is trusted by one system, they are automatically granted access to all others that have established a trusted relationship with it. This provides the basis for modern SSO solutions, which are enabled through protocols like OpenID Connect and SAML 2.0.
SSO works like digital keys that prove a user's Identity. When a user signs in to a service with their SSO login, an authentication token is created and stored either in their browser or in the SSO solution's central authentication service(CAS) server. Any app or website the user subsequently accesses will check with the SSO service, which then sends the user's token to confirm their identity and provide them access without having to log in again. This process ensures a seamless and secure experience across different platforms.
SSO technology has its roots in the on-premises Identity tools that helped organizations securely connect their computers, networks, and servers together in the mid-to-late 1990s. Back then, organizations began to manage their user identities through dedicated systems like Microsoft's Active Directory (AD) and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), then secured access through on-premises SSO or Web Access Management (WAM)tools.
As IT continues to evolve by moving to the cloud, dispersing across multiple devices, and facing more sophisticated cyberthreats, traditional Identity management tools have struggled to keep pace. IT teams need a solution that provides users with quick, secure SSO access to any application or service.
There are a variety of protocols and standards to be aware of when identifying and working with SSO. These include:
SSO solutions should align with an organization's overall IT strategy, security posture, and operational needs, including whether they are on-premise or cloud-based.
On-premises SSOrequires installing and maintaining hardware and software within a physical location. It offers complete control over the SSO environment for organizations with specific compliance or security requirements. However, it involves higher upfront costs for hardware and software purchases and requires significant resources for ongoing maintenance and scaling.
Cloud-based SSOis hosted on a provider's infrastructure and is a more flexible and cost-effective approach. It reduces the need for physical hardware, lowers initial costs, and provides scalability to adjust service usage based on demand. While this model offers less control over the infrastructure, it leverages the cloud provider's security and compliance measures, which can be an advantage for organizations looking for robust security with minimal overhead.
Organizations that deploy SSO reap a wide range of benefits, from avoiding the risks presented by password recycling to delivering a seamless user experience. Key benefits of SSO include:
While SSO is user-friendly and convenient, it can pose a security risk if it's not well-managed or properly deployed. Obstacles include:
User access risks: If an attacker gains access to a user's SSO credentials, they also gain access to every app the user has the rights to. So, it's imperative to deploy additional authentication mechanismsbeyond just passwords.
Potential vulnerabilities:Vulnerabilities have been discovered within SAML and OAuth that gave attackers unauthorized access to victims' web and mobile accounts. It's important to work with a provider that has accounted for these instances in their product and pairs SSO with additional authentication factors and Identity governance.
App compatibility:At times, an app isn't set up to effectively integrate with an SSO solution. Application providers should have real SSO capability, whether via SAML, Kerberos, or OAuth. Otherwise, the SSO solution is just another password for users to remember and doesn't provide comprehensive coverage.
An SSO solution from a proven provider delivers verified security protocols and service at scale. Here's how SSO best practices boost security:
The security of SSO systems depends on a number of variables, including the implementation, the technologies used, and the security practices followed by the organization implementing them.
Potential security risks:
Advantages for security:
Regardless of the specific technology or protocol used, the implementation of SSO generally involves the following steps:
IAMhelps organizations manage all aspects of user access, and SSO is one part of that broader Identity landscape. SSO is essential to verifying user identities and providing the right permission levels, and should be integrated with activity logs, tools that enable access control, and processes that monitor user behavior.
SSO vs. MFA
SSO and MFA serve complementary roles in managing access to digital services. SSO simplifies user access by allowing one set of credentials to unlock multiple applications, enhancing convenience and efficiency. In contrast, MFA strengthens security by requiring users to provide multiple verification factors before granting access, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized entry. While SSO aims to streamline the user experience by reducing login redundancies, MFA adds an essential layer of security, making it more difficult for attackers to compromise sensitive information. Many organizations leverage both technologies together, using SSO for ease of access across multiple services and MFA to ensure access remains secure, balancing user convenience with strong security measures.
SSO vs. federated Identity
SSO and federated Identity management (FIM) streamline user access to multiple systems but are related to different aspects of access management. SSO simplifies the login process within a single organizational domain, allowing users to access various applications using one set of credentials. Federated Identityextends these benefits across organizational boundaries, allowing secure and frictionless access to resources across multiple domains without the need for separate credentials for each. This is achieved through establishing trust relationships and using standards like SAML and OAuth for collaboration across companies or services. While SSO focuses on internal ease of access, federated Identity emphasizes interoperability and secure data sharing between different entities.
Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS)solutions deliver all aspects of IAM, including SSO, adaptive MFA, and user directoriesin a single package. This simplifies security, provisioning, and workflows, enhances user experience, and saves organizations time and money.
Selecting an SSO provider means navigating a wide range of vendor options. Key provider capabilities include:
Access to any application: The best SSO providers will support integrations with all key apps on the market. When assessing providers, focus on the range of applications and sophistication of integrations they offer. Look for solutions that enable network resource integration across enterprise, SaaS, and web applications.
SSO customization: A modern SSO product must meet the specific needs of each user by providing a dashboard that shows only the apps they have permission to access. Dashboards should be customizable to meet the company's branding needs and ensure brand consistency and continuity across all of its branded sites.
MFA integration:It's important not to rely solely on usernames and passwords, so look for an SSO provider that integrates with any MFA solution and can capture a wide range of user contextual factors such as location, risk profile, and behavior. This strengthens security by requiring users to provide additional information that confirms their identity.
Monitoring and troubleshooting: An effective SSO provider supplies monitoring tools that help organizations quickly identify and resolve performance issues across their entire IT hybrid or cloud-based environment.
Discover how Okta Single Sign-Onprovides seamless integration to more than 6,000 popular apps, or check out our end-user experienceto get started with SSO.