Single sign-on

Definition

Single sign-on (SSO) is an authentication process that allows a user to access multiple applications or services with one set of login credentials. This simplifies the user experience by reducing the number of times a user must log in and enhances security by minimizing password fatigue and the risk of insecure password practices. SSO integrates with authentication mechanisms like OAuth and SAML, providing seamless access across different platforms while maintaining robust security measures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. SSO can significantly improve user convenience as it reduces the number of usernames and passwords users need to remember.
2. By centralizing authentication, SSO can enhance security by allowing organizations to implement stronger password policies and multi-factor authentication more effectively.
3. The implementation of SSO can decrease IT support costs, as users are less likely to forget passwords or lock themselves out of accounts.
4. SSO can facilitate better user tracking and reporting for compliance purposes, as all authentication attempts can be logged centrally.
5. Many popular services, such as Google and Facebook, use SSO to allow users to log into various third-party applications without creating separate accounts.

Review Questions

• How does single sign-on improve user experience and security in authentication processes?
  • Single sign-on enhances user experience by allowing individuals to log in once and gain access to multiple applications without repeated logins. This convenience reduces password fatigue, which can lead to poor security practices, like reusing passwords or writing them down. By simplifying the authentication process, SSO encourages users to create stronger passwords and engage in safer online behavior.
• Discuss how OAuth and SAML relate to single sign-on, and why they are important in the context of modern web applications.
  • OAuth and SAML are both crucial protocols that facilitate single sign-on across different platforms. OAuth allows users to grant applications access to their information without sharing passwords, which is essential for secure authorization in a multi-application environment. Meanwhile, SAML enables secure exchange of authentication data between identity providers and service providers, ensuring that users can authenticate seamlessly across various web applications while maintaining their security.
• Evaluate the potential risks associated with implementing single sign-on in an organization’s IT infrastructure.
  • While single sign-on provides many benefits, it also introduces risks that organizations need to manage. For instance, if a user's credentials are compromised, an attacker could gain access to all connected applications, leading to significant data breaches. Additionally, reliance on a centralized authentication service means that if that service goes down or is attacked, it can lock users out of all systems relying on it. Therefore, organizations must implement strong security measures, including multi-factor authentication and monitoring for unusual access patterns.

Related terms

OAuth: An open standard for access delegation that allows users to grant third-party applications limited access to their resources without sharing their passwords.

SAML: Security Assertion Markup Language, a standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between parties, particularly between an identity provider and a service provider.

Federated Identity: A system that allows the use of a single identity to access multiple systems or applications across different security domains, often using SSO technologies.