Single Sign-On (SSO) is a mechanism that allows users to authenticate themselves once and gain access to multiple applications or systems without the need to re-enter their credentials every time. It provides a seamless and convenient experience for users who only have to remember one set of login credentials while also improving security by reducing the risk of compromised or forgotten passwords.
SSO uses standards-based protocols such as OAuth, OpenID Connect, and SAML to exchange identity and authentication information between the user's device and the applications they are trying to access. When a user logs into one application, the SSO system generates an authentication token that is then used to grant access to other applications that support SSO. This way, the user can navigate between different systems without logging in again, even if various organizations host those systems and use other technologies.
Cost Savings
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In addition to improving user experience and security, SSO can lead to cost savings and increased productivity for organizations. For example, SSO can save time and reduce frustration by reducing the number of login screens that users must deal with. It can also simplify user management and reduce the burden on IT departments, which manage fewer user accounts and passwords.
Microsoft is implementing Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities in their popular cloud-based productivity suite, Microsoft 365 (M365). With SSO, users of M365 only need to authenticate once and can then easily access various systems and applications integrated with M365 without repeatedly entering login credentials.
SSO is made possible in M365 through industry-standard security protocols such as Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) and OpenID Connect. These protocols allow M365 to interact with various services, including third-party applications and identity providers, to grant users seamless access to multiple resources. In addition, the authentication process is secured with multi-factor authentication (MFA), further enhancing user data and information security.
Passwords may become less common as governments and organizations explore alternative authentication methods. For example, many companies are exploring using two-factor authentication through a physical device such as a token, badge, or an app on a user's smartphone. This provides an additional layer of security and makes it much harder for someone to gain unauthorized access to an account. In addition, biometric-based authentication is becoming more popular, allowing users to unlock their devices by providing fingerprint or facial recognition scans.
