From emails to social networking websites, from project management tools to cloud storage systems, it seems like a never-ending list. It is not an easy task to remember and manage all these usernames and password. That is where single sign-on (SSO) comes in.
In this article, we unravel the realm of Single Sign-On (SSO) and explain how it can help simplify your workflow, enhance productivity levels, and save you valuable time.
Advantages of Integrating Single Sign-on (SSO)
Single Sign-On (SSO) are plenty and may include organizations of all sizes. The first thing it does is to make the login simple; users can get entry into several applications and systems using a single pair of credentials. Remembering complicated or several differing usernames and passwords has been a thing of the past. Users can simply log in to all the applications hence making it possible for users to move from one program to another seamlessly without wasting their time.
Secondly, eliminating the chance for the use of weak passwords and the risk of credential theft. When the user has to remember only one password then it becomes easier to access what’s needed. Furthermore, SSO makes unnecessary the use of password sharing across other platforms; thereby reducing data compromise cases.
The centralized authentication system provides for easier monitoring to details limiting entry only to authorized parties.
Workflow Simplification with SSO
A key benefit of SSO is its simplification of workflows. With the help of SSO users do not have to switch accounts all in one application that allows logging into various applications. This not only saves time but also eliminates frustration and hence enhances user experience.
Picture this scenario—an employee starts the day by logging in to mail, and ERP or CRM software, uses some project management tools and may need to do other things or work on something else after a few hours of use.
In the absence of SSO, an employee would have to memorize and enter individual credentials for differently accessed applications. This is not only demanding but also mind-boggling. With SSO, the user only has to log in once and they can easily retrieve all required applications which allows them to concentrate more on their work hence increasing productivity.
How Do IAM and SSO Work?
IAM and SSO are wholly interlinked, with the former enabling access to resources effectively. IAM relates to the identity management peculiarities and technology systems that are used in organizations for the implementation of user identification measures and provisioning resources access rights. It includes user provisioning, authentication, authorization, and lifecycle management.
SSO, on the other side however is a branch of IAM that focuses exclusively on authentication. It allows users to use many applications with one password. Whereas, IAM is accountable for identity management and authorization rights administration; SSO optimizes the login process in general while boosting user experience.
SSO by Identity Active Directory
One of the well-known directory services is Identity Active Directory (AD), and it can be utilized as an SSO implementation. AD centralizes the storage of user identities and their associated attributes, which include but are not limited to the use of name passwords and group membership. Through the reinforcement of SSO to AD, organizations would have all their systems and applications available at one click.
In order to use identity active directory SSO there is a need to set up a trust relationship between the AD domain and applications that users want to enable SSO on. These can be carried out by several protocols like SAML or OAuth. After the trust between both systems is established, users can easily log in to their AD account and access those applications that are authorized for them without entering an additional username/password.
Having agreed on how to go about implementing Single Sign-On, a number of best practices come up which include among others.
Here are some best practices to consider:
- Integrate SSO in your system: First, assess comprehensively any available applications and systems that your organization can integrate with such a single sign-on software solution. However not all applications may offer SSO from the box, and some might need to be tailored specifically or adopt add-on plugins made by third parties.
- Focus on security by providing powerful authentication systems, for instance, MFA in order to build more secure SSO. This increases the security by making users present additional verification such as a fingerprint scan or a one-time passcode.
- Implement a systematic user provisioning and de-provisioning procedure so that the access of the user is automatically granted or dropped as per his/her requirement.
Common Challenges in Single Sign On Implementation Deployment.
Here are some common challenges and their solutions when implementing single sign on:
- Application compatibility: Relevant technology one application may not serve the SSO feature natively. In such situations, organizations can look into bespoke integration approaches or ponder on given identity providers that give off SSO functionalities.
- User experience: SSO should offer users a straightforward and obvious login operation. Therefore, organizations must invest in easy-to-use SSO solutions that provide one-click access to applications and enable different means of authentication schemes.
- Technical complexity: Technical complications can also arise with the implementation of SSO especially when integrating it into a legacy system or application. Organizations should partner with their IT wings or consult external experts to make sure that implementation is seamless and all technical concerns are addressed.
Conclusion
To summarize, SSO is a valuable tool that helps with optimizing workflows and increasing productivity while saving time. The SSO makes login simpler, users log on only once and can then access multiple applications as it abolishes the requirement of remembering separate credentials resulting in an efficiency increase and improved user experience.
