What Is SSO? Single Sign On Explained

Remembering multiple passwords can be a daily struggle. However, there are alternative ways to log in to your accounts and cut back on password memorization. Single sign on (SSO) serves as a secure method that allows users to access multiple applications with just one set of login credentials. Learn what SSO is, how single sign on works, and how it can benefit you.

What is single sign on?

Single sign on (SSO), or single sign-on, is essentially the master key of online logins. It's more convenient, more efficient, and even more secure than traditional login methods, making it an increasingly popular choice for users.

With SSO, you log in once and gain instant access to multiple systems and services. This streamlined approach cuts down on the time you'd normally spend entering different usernames and passwords for each site or application you visit.

However, this type of login also offers increased security. Your initial login is authenticated by a central server, which then issues a token. This token proves your identity to any other services linked to the SSO system.

As you navigate from one service to another, you're not prompted to log in again; the system knows you and your token. This technology redefines user experience by making navigation between services fluid.

How does single sign on work?

Single sign on is convenient, but how does SSO work? The functionality of single sign on revolves around an authentication token that your SSO creates when you first log in. This token is a unique set of digital credentials, proving your identity to any service within the SSO's network.

When you input your username and password, the SSO system checks them against its database. If everything matches up, the system issues an authentication token.

This token is full of access rights, so each service you use knows exactly what you can and can't do. Think of it as a personalized access badge that opens only the doors that you have permission to enter.

If you need to access another service, it's an easy and convenient transfer of trust. You can, for example, move from checking your work schedule to ordering supplies without having to re-enter your credentials each time.

Furthermore, because of the token's encryption, bad actors have great difficulty faking it. Once you sign out of the SSO or the token expires, you can't replicate the same one again, keeping you and your accounts secure.

Types of single sign on

There are several different types of SSO made up of various protocols, standards, and applications. Consider them as explained below.

Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML)

Security Assertion Markup Language, or SAML, is an open standard used to code text from human-readable language into machine-readable language. Many application providers choose to use it to validate requests, as it works well with most web applications and has the ability to transfer data quickly through pages and web browsers.

Open Authorization (OAuth)

Open Authorization, or OAuth, is an open standard authentication protocol used for encrypting identifying data for secure transmission across browsers and apps. The updated version, OAuth 2.0, has become the industry standard for authorization because of its applications and flexibility. It allows users to access data from other applications quickly without manual identity verification.

OpenID Connect (OIDC)

OpenID Connect, or OIDC, is an extension of OAuth 2.0 and adds information about users. It lets multiple applications use one login session, further consolidating the login process and making it straightforward and convenient for users.

Kerberos

Kerberos is a protocol used to authenticate service requests between multiple trusted hosts and an untrusted network or network connection, like the Internet. Because of its security across insecure network connections, many commonly use it for authentication in environments such as email.

Benefits of single sign on

Why are single sign-on strategies becoming more and more common for users and IT departments alike? There are many benefits to using these strategies, so let's break them down.

With SSO, the number of passwords you need to remember drops to one. When you have fewer passwords, you're more likely to create one that's strong and unique. Furthermore, you won't need to write it down or reuse it across multiple sites, which is a security risk.

For organizations, the perks of SSO go even further. IT teams have to deal with fewer password-related data breaches. SSO reduces the risk of phishing attacks too; fewer login prompts mean fewer chances for users to accidentally enter credentials into a fake site.

Additionally, when an employee leaves or changes roles, revoking or altering their access becomes a one-step process. It's like having a master switch for a person's digital access across the entire company.

Think of SSO as the oil in the machinery of your workday, keeping everything running smoothly without any friction. It turns what could be a steeplechase of logins into a straight sprint.

SSO strategies also make things easier for customers. They get to enjoy a unified experience across all a company's services without re-entering login details. This can make them more likely to use more services more often. For businesses, that means happier customers and more engagement with their products.

Logging in with single sign-on

Login strategies are key to a smooth user experience. SSO logins shine here by minimizing the steps you take to dive into work or play online.

Instead of a cumbersome process where you're fishing for passwords, SSO is like a fast-track lane at an amusement park; you get on your favorite rides faster. With SSO, companies set up a system that knows you're you. It's secure, fast, and doesn't make you prove your identity every time you switch applications.

Single sign on and cybersecurity

Despite the additional security that using an SSO portal for logins provides, it can seem risky to create a central point of failure with just a single password. However, here is where single sign on's dual role in cybersecurity becomes relevant. Despite the central point of failure, the authentication factors used in single sign ons are often more robust than those used in traditional login setups. Think of it as a safe with a more complex lock as opposed to several safes with simpler locks.

Single sign-on services often require multi-factor authentication (MFA). Multi-factor authentication requires more than just a password to get in; it requires other forms of authentication as well, like a fingerprint or a code sent to your device. Therefore, these added layers of security make your SSO-protected accounts much harder to hack.

Single sign on also streamlines the process of monitoring and managing network access. If there's an attempted breach, it's easier to spot and stop when all your logins are in one place. However, no system is perfect. The convenience of SSO could be a downside if a cybercriminal manages to steal your master key.

For this reason, SSO providers must be on top of their game, constantly updating their security measures. In the balance between convenience and security, SSO is a powerful ally. It streamlines user experience while bolstering defenses, a dual role that's crucial in our cyber-centric lives. By embracing SSO, both individuals and companies have easy access to highly protected accounts.

Frequently asked questions

What is an example of a single sign on?

An example of a single sign on is Google; logging into Google automatically logs you into YouTube, Google Analytics, and other separate Google applications.

When should SSO be used?

Use SSO when security and efficiency are both priorities, such as in business or professional environments. Single sign on systems provide secure identity and access management while increasing the speed at which users can switch between applications.

Is Google an example of SSO?

Yes, Google is oftentimes an example of SSO as it allows users to log in to different applications using their Google email or G Suite login credentials.

What is an SSO token?

An SSO token is a bit of data that's passed from one system to the next during a single sign on process. The data varies from a user's email address to data about the devices used to access the accounts. These tokens are unique and expire after a certain point in time, making this type of digital signature secure for the single sign on login process.