Written by: Jay H.
Cybersecurity basics rule number one is having strong, unique passwords for every site or application you use. However, managing passwords can be challenging given the magnitude of apps and websites employees use. Thankfully, there’s an easier way to enforce secure password policies in your workplace. Using single sign-on (SSO), you and your staff can enjoy the simplicity of one username and password without compromising security.
What Is Single Sign-On (SSO)?
Single sign-on lets users use one set of login credentials to access their applications. While this may seem like a poor cybersecurity strategy, SSO is actually incredibly secure. The authentication process works by providing the login credentials to an SSO provider, who then works as an intermediatory and verifies the login to the application. You may have used this feature before without even realizing it. If you’ve ever logged in using your Facebook, Google, or another social account, you’ve utilized SSO.
How Is SSO Secure?
SSO enables users to sign on to accounts without managing many unique (and possibly weak and easily guessable) passwords. However, one burning question remains – what if hackers gain access to your SSO credentials?
This is where identity governance comes into play. Many companies centralize identity authentication on servers that act as gatekeepers. So when a user signs in, their authentication passes through the SSO server, which then verifies the user and passes on the credential.
Moreover, companies can further secure SSO with multi-factor authentication (MFA), which requires additional verification when signing on. For instance, users may have to scan a fingerprint, enter a code, or click a link to gain access. With these protections in place, hackers cannot access user accounts with credentials alone.
How To Implement SSO In Your Organization
To successfully deploy SSO in your organization, you need an IT provider such as Design2Web IT to manage the process. A proper IT provider will monitor the process for suspicious user activity and provide support for user problems. For more information on how we can help better secure your organization, contact us today!
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