IT admin costs can get EXPENSIVE for growing companies - especially with constantly needing to grant access to multiple apps and password resets! SSO with quick provisioning solves this easily.
Want to know why most tech companies are moving to SSO or what is SSO? Here’s what you need to know…
What is Single Sign-On (SSO)?
Single sign-on or SSO authentication is a system that allows users of apps, software, and other work ecosystems to log into multiple tools with one sign-on attempt.
For popular SSO providers, this is commonly social logins, however there the method of authentication can vary based on the MFA template needed for additional security.
A lot of SSO providers even use adaptive MFA making sure that access difficulty and additional verification layers can be added based on IP address, location, and device used to login to your techstack.
How Does Single Sign-On (SSO) Work?
Single sign-on in modern software works through SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect (OIDC) protocols. So how does SSO work?
- Step 1: To put it simply, once you enter your login information your IDp or SSO provider generates an SSO token using its Active Directory, LDAP, or OAuth authentication server.
- Step 2: This token is then sent to the software or service (SP) you are trying to access using an SSO token (typically SAML assertion, OAuth access token, or OpenID Connect ID token).
- Step 3: The software then validates this token and initiates a session. This can be done by using HTTP endpoints, APIs that handle token validation in OAuth, or even identity APIs in the case of OIDC. OIDC is a layer on top of OAuth that adds identity verification based on attributes in granting access.
However now imagine this happening to multiple, even dozens of applications all at once. Through this SSO authentication removes the chance of brute force attacks and password guessing as well.
What are the Benefits of SSO?
Many companies have boosted security, efficiency, and user experience with SSO. Let’s explore the key benefits of SSO and how it simplifies access management.
- Quick access to your full tech stack: With SSO authentication, app users and employees can gain access to all the applications they need without switching between different accounts. This reduces delays and keeps workflows moving smoothly.
- Better security: Through passwordless authentication and the use of MFA, single sign on security actually lowers your chances of data breaches or passwords being leaked.
- Less time wasted on repetitive logins: Users don’t have to enter credentials every time they switch between applications. This saves time and reduces frustration, especially for those who work across multiple tools.
- Improved customer and employee experience: SSO authentication makes it easier for employees to get their work done and for customers to access online services. Fewer login hurdles lead to a smoother experience and less password-related frustration.
- Lower administrative costs through fewer password resets: With fewer passwords to remember, users are less likely to forget them. This reduces the number of support requests for password resets, saving time and money.
- Easier compliance with industry standards: Single sign-on security helps businesses follow security guidelines by centralizing login management. This makes it easier to track access and apply security policies consistently.
Is SSO Secure?
Yes! But this depends a lot on whether your SSO provider allows you to use more advanced authentication frameworks like adaptive MFA, a zero-trust framework, and privileged access management.
Overall, to make sure you keep your system secure other practices need to be followed like the principle of least privilege where you assign users access based on their role, department, and immediate requirement to complete tasks are followed in your single sign-on security.
In fact, in 2022, 70% of IT and Telcom companies in APAC and 87% of EMEA IT companies reported already having implemented SSO authentication.
Putting systems in place that a reliable SSO provider usually has like conditional access adds to this as well.
Types of SSO Configurations
- SAML: SAML or Security Assertion Markup Language uses XML-based protocols to authenticate and authorize users using your idP to your SP (Service Provider) or app. This functions through the usage of SAML tokens that work with your SSO software to verify your identity or attribute (SAML assertion) and what apps this allows you to access.
- OAuth: OAuth is another popular SSO configuration. Instead of direct access using Tokens like in the case of SAML, OAuth allows access for a short period of time using tokens and APIs that allow you to sign on to various apps in one go. With this authentication, you typically also use OpenID Connect to make sure that your SSO system verifies user access before granting access.
- OpenID Connect (OIDC): OIDC is a protocol you add on top of OAuth allowing you to verify identity using ID tokens encoded at JWTs. This allows you the SSO to set the parameters for the session with details like the IDP, the user ID, the service provider, and when the session will expire.
- Kerberos: This is used almost exclusively for Windows authentication an SSO system that allows users to log in to apps once they verify their identity by logging on to their system. Kerberos uses ticket-based authentication and Microsoft's Active Directory to verify users.
- NTML: While not a complete type of SSO configuration, NTML allows SSO to some software for Windows users using a request, challenge, and validation protocol. This works for NTML-protected software like SQL server reporting services, Outlook, Microsft IIS, and SOAP-based web services.
- Physical Token Authentication: This refers to SSO authentication that uses a physical element. This can be smartcards, USB security keys like YubiKeys, biometrics, or even device passkeys.
Challenges of Implementing SSO
- Non-Compatibility of Tech Stack: For a lot of companies, some items in their tech stack that are non-SSO compatible can present a challenge. To deal with this usage of encrypted password vaults that do not reveal credentials can work around his process.
- Usage of On-Premises Software: Another problem some companies face is the fact that a lot of their software and processes are stored on servers locally. For cloud-based SSO this can be a challenge - navigating this would require you to use a secure network access gateway to access these files.
- Usage of Multiple Ecosystems: When working with multiple different ecosystems that are incompatible with each other putting a unified SSO in place can be hard. To deal with this working with SSO providers with integrations and directory sync can help centralize access all in one place.
- Existing Access Management Software: Already using an IGA, PAM, or CIAM software? This is a challenge that some companies have. Well, don’t let that stop you from putting a flexible versatile SSO or IAM in place. Depending on your immediate needs you can either integrate or migrate your access management. Also, with SSO security professionals this can be done without a hitch.
- Limited Customization: For some companies dealing with limited customization of authentication as well as branding can be cumbersome - this means your security is either too intense or slack when it shouldn’t be. Usually solved through adaptive MFA templates, in many SSO tools this can be limited.
- Single Point of Failure: Although SSO is quick and secure, at times the SSO provider can experience downtime that will keep you from being able to access your tech stack. To deal with this, make sure you opt for an SSO provider with little to no reviews of downtime, and that you have contingency plans in place.
How do SSO Authentication Tokens Work?
- Step 1 - Authentication Attempt: Here you enter your login information, such as a username and password, on the identity provider's login page. This request is then sent to the authentication system to confirm the user’s identity.
- Step 2 - Token Generation: Once your credentials are verified, the system creates a secure token using SAML, OAuth, or OIDC protocols containing details about the user and their access permissions. This token acts as proof that the user has been authenticated.
- Step 3 - Token Validation and Exchange: The token is sent to the requested application, which checks with the identity provider to confirm that it is valid using Active Directory, LDAP, or OAuth authentication servers. If this is approved, the application accepts your token instead of asking for a separate login.
- Step 4 - Access Granted: After the token is validated, you are allowed to access software or apps using HTTP endpoints or APIs without needing to enter your password again for a set period of time. This token is often reused for other connected applications, meaning you don’t need to keep logging into the other apps connected to your SSO software immediately.
How is SSO Implemented?
To put SSO authentication in place with your application you register your application (SO) with the SSO provider or IdP. In doing this, you’ll need to work with the protocol the SP supports like SAML, OAuth, OpenID connect, or even Kerberos (for Windows authentication).
How well this functions depends on your IdP and single sign security- we’d strongly recommend you opt for one that has multiple integrations APIs + SDKs with tools you would use.
For applications that do not support SSO opt for a solution that allows the use of managed password vaults (for cloud-based or web-based non-SSO supportive applications) or network access gateways (on-premises applications).
Why do You Need to Implement SSO?
For a lot of applications or IDps, SSO software as a service allows users and enterprises to sign on to their full stack of non-connected applications in one go. This reduces your IT overhead through lower service requests and it typically functions for cloud software that has SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect protocols in place.
Also, SSO authentication for connected apps that keeps users from needing to re-enter passwords is known as app-to app-SSO. App-to-app SSO grants user-level access across connected apps making your process a lot more efficient.
How SSO Fits into Modern Access Management
In the day of AI and automation, SSO authentication helps reduce admin costs and speed in modern access management.
In current times, access management needs to keep into consideration decentralized workspaces like remote work settings or teams that are based in various geo-locations. Aside from this, also protection from the more sophisticated and advanced attacks that occur a lot more due to automated hacking and brute force attack software.
But to lay out how it fits into modern-day access management, we can break this down into:
- Little to no forgotten passwords
- More productivity
- A better user experience
- Stronger and more reliable security
- Fewer support requests and tickets
- Easier compliance with industry standards
Infisign SSO: Why Do You Need It?
With this, we definitely answered what is SSO and how SSO works. But the reality is for workspaces using multiple tools and the need for instant access, SSO allows you to improve productivity and security in one go.
With SSO providers like Infisign, you add multiple users and groups to multiple apps - with just a few clicks. It also comes with unlimited directory sync making it the ideal IAM and CIAM solution for companies working with multiple different tenants and service providers.
However, Infisign's IAM Suite is an SSO authentication tool, that comes with over 6000+ APIs and SDKs for easy integration with your existing tech stack. Moreover, it also provides device passkeys (without ANY additional cost). Reach out for a free demo!
