Single sign-on (SSO)

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 streamlines the user experience by reducing the number of times a user has to log in, enhancing convenience and security by minimizing password fatigue. SSO is essential for managing user identities and access across various systems, especially in environments where multiple applications need secure user authentication.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. SSO enhances security by reducing the number of passwords users need to remember, which can decrease the likelihood of weak passwords and repeated password use across platforms.
2. By implementing SSO, organizations can improve user productivity as employees spend less time managing multiple logins.
3. SSO solutions often use security tokens or assertions (like SAML or OAuth) to facilitate authentication between different services.
4. An SSO implementation can simplify the onboarding and offboarding processes for users by centralizing access management.
5. While SSO improves convenience, it also raises concerns about a single point of failure; if an attacker compromises the SSO account, they may gain access to all linked applications.

Review Questions

• How does single sign-on (SSO) improve user experience and security in accessing multiple applications?
  • Single sign-on (SSO) significantly enhances user experience by allowing individuals to log in once and gain access to various applications without repeated logins. This convenience reduces password fatigue and the likelihood of using weak or similar passwords across platforms, thus improving overall security. By minimizing the number of times users enter their credentials, SSO also lessens opportunities for phishing attacks on login pages.
• Discuss the role of security tokens in single sign-on (SSO) systems and how they facilitate authentication across services.
  • Security tokens are critical components in single sign-on (SSO) systems as they enable secure authentication across multiple services. These tokens, often based on standards like SAML or OAuth, contain user information and permissions, allowing service providers to verify a user's identity without requiring separate logins for each application. When a user authenticates through an SSO provider, they receive a token that can be shared securely with other applications, ensuring that access is both streamlined and secure.
• Evaluate the potential risks associated with implementing single sign-on (SSO) and how organizations can mitigate these risks.
  • Implementing single sign-on (SSO) presents risks, particularly concerning the single point of failure; if an SSO account is compromised, it could grant unauthorized access to all linked applications. Organizations can mitigate these risks by employing multi-factor authentication (MFA), ensuring that additional verification methods are required before granting access. Regularly updating security protocols, monitoring for suspicious activity, and implementing robust user training on security best practices are also essential strategies to maintain secure SSO operations.

Related terms

Authentication: The process of verifying the identity of a user or system, ensuring that they are who they claim to be.

Access Control: The method of regulating who can view or use resources in a computing environment, based on established permissions.

Federated Identity Management: A system that allows users to access multiple networks and applications using a single identity across different organizations.