1. What is it?

If you have ever opted to “Log in with Facebook” or “Log in with Google” to access an account that is neither of those two, then you have used SSO! Single Sign-On, otherwise known as SSO, is an authentication service that allows you to access multiple different accounts while only having to log into one. The process of logging in with another account adds great ease as you don’t have to create or remember credentials for yet another website. Which is the beauty of SSO— it combats password fatigue. When an SSO application is implemented, you have the option of logging onto a portal in which you see icons for Gmail, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. All you have to do is click one of those and you’ll automatically login without reentering information, since you have already logged into the portal.

2. The History Behind SSO 

Forbes reports that SSO was birthed in the late 1980’s as an IAM (Identity and Access Management) system. The goal being to help consolidate login credentials for businesses and government agencies. As the world began to digitize, so began the habit of keeping passwords on post-it notes, forgetting and creating weak passwords, and cyberattacks. SSO sought to solve these issues by creating a better way to keep your information secure, not only within but, across internet applications.

3. Benefits of SSO 

Single Sign-On has many benefits, both to business and end users. SSO exponentially increases user convenience, transparency, speed, and security while also being shown to lower IT overhead costs. Only having to remember and input one set of credentials helps you get into accounts faster and with more ease. Transparency is also ensured when using a delegated SSO system: much like when you download an app on your phone and give it permission to access data across platforms— you can easily opt out of sharing. Single Sign-On also increases security by enabling complex authentication policies, randomizing passwords, and enabling re-authentication as needed. Further, implementing SSO also has tremendous organizational security benefits: especially in the way of revoking account access and deleting employee accounts after their termination. If you remember, this is the exact vulnerability that led to Colonial Pipeline being compromised earlier this year.

4. The Myth that SSO Can Make You Vulnerable 

The argument that SSO may lead to more vulnerability is outdated and can be easily counteracted by proper use and implementation. The fear stems from the worry that if someone got ahold of your credentials they would be able to unlock your entire digital persona— putting all of your applications at risk. But, there is a simple fix for this: enabling Multi-Factor Authentication in order to add a layer of security that can not be hacked or compromised (like a fingerprint or token). By combining Single Sign-On with Two-Step or Multi-Factor Authentication you’ve not only maximized convenience and efficiency, but you have now stopped 99.9% of threats to your accounts.

5. You Can Implement SSO With Digital Persona Premium 

Digital Persona is a software that provides secure access and authentication to users. It is a tool for Multi-Factor Authentication and is widely used and trusted by businesses and government agencies alike. With Digital Persona Premium, you can implement Single Sign-On and reap numerous benefits, ranging from added security to added efficiency. This browser-based SSO Portal gives easy access to SAML-enabled apps. The Password Manager provides Single Sign-On and enforces strong authentication without modifying underlying applications. This feature also has capabilities to securely store, update, and auto-fill passwords. For more information on Digital Persona Premium and implementing Single Sign-On, check out our website at https://www.txsystems.com/digital-persona.