SSO stands for Single Sign-On and is an authentication technology that allows users to access several applications and services with a single log-in session. This removes the need to remember several usernames and passwords, making it both easier and more secure for users to navigate digital environments. SSO is often used in companies and organisations, where it simplifies user administration and reduces the risk of security breaches caused by weak or reused passwords.
SSO works by centralising the authentication process: a user logs in to a central identity provider, which then confirms the user’s identity to the connected applications. This ensures a smooth user experience and improves security by minimising the number of times the user has to enter their credentials. With SSO, companies can manage access rights effectively while improving the user experience, making it a key technology in modern IT infrastructure.
SSO (Single Sign-On) is an advanced authentication technology that allows users to access several applications with a single log-in session. This removes the need to remember several usernames and passwords, improving both security and usability. SSO works by centralising user authentication through a trusted identity provider, which then issues a secure token to the connected applications. This token confirms the user's identity and allows access without further log-ins. The technology is particularly well suited to companies that want to simplify user administration and reduce the risk of security breaches caused by weak or reused passwords. SSO also supports a better user experience by minimising log-in barriers and enabling more streamlined access to necessary resources.
More about SSO (Single Sign-On)
SSO (Single Sign-On) is an advanced authentication technology that enables quick, simple and secure access to several applications with a single log-in session. This centralised log-in process is one of the key characteristics that make SSO particularly well suited to environments where security and usability are crucial, such as company intranets, cloud services and web applications.
Technically, SSO is based on a range of protocols and standards such as SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) and OpenID Connect, which builds on OAuth 2.0, and which work by transferring authentication data between an identity provider and a service provider. OAuth itself is a framework for authorisation, while OpenID Connect and SAML handle the confirmation of identity. When a user logs in to an SSO-enabled application, an authentication token or assertion is generated, which is then used to access other connected applications without the need to enter log-in details again. This makes SSO both efficient and practical for many purposes.
SSO is built on three central elements, each supporting different types of interaction:
Centralised authentication: Here, an identity provider acts as the central unit that handles the user’s log-in details. This could, for example, be a company that uses a central log-in portal to give employees access to various internal systems. This function is often used to simplify user administration and improve security.
Token-based access: Once a user has been authenticated, a token is generated that is used to access other applications. This makes it possible to establish a secure and simple connection without the need to enter log-in details several times.
Federated identity: SSO can also work across organisations, allowing a user to access external services using their internal log-in details. For example, an employee of one company can access a partner organisation’s resources without having to create a separate account.
One of the greatest strengths of SSO is its combination of usability and security. The centralised log-in process means that users only need to remember one password, which significantly reduces the risk of weak or reused passwords. In addition, extra layers of security are often implemented, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), encryption and session monitoring, especially for sensitive applications. These security features help ensure that only authorised users can access the systems and limit the damage if log-in details are compromised.
SSO’s ability to simplify the user experience is another important advantage. The technology reduces the need to remember several passwords and minimises log-in time, increasing productivity and satisfaction among users. This makes SSO well suited to both small and large organisations that want to improve their security and efficiency.
In practice, SSO has changed the way authentication is handled in digital environments. It is used in business systems, where employees can access several applications with a single log-in. It is used in cloud services, where users can switch between different platforms without having to log in again. SSO also enables a more streamlined user experience in web applications, where access to different services can be gained with minimal effort.
In summary, SSO is a technology that combines simplicity, security and efficiency in a solution that makes authentication more intuitive and accessible for both private users and companies. Once it has been configured, it works with little effort from users and with a high level of security, making it an important tool in modern digital life, where fast and secure interactions are necessary.
Frequently asked questions about SSO (Single Sign-On)
What is Single Sign-On (SSO), and how does it work?
Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication process that allows a user to access several applications or systems with a single log-in session. SSO reduces the need to remember several usernames and passwords, as the user only has to log in once to access all connected services.
When a user logs in via SSO, an authentication token is generated, which is then used to give access to other applications without requiring further log-ins. This token is typically valid for a certain period and can be verified by the connected systems to ensure that the user is authorised. The SSO system can be integrated with various protocols such as SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) or OpenID Connect, which builds on OAuth 2.0, ensuring secure and efficient handling of user data.
Compared with traditional log-in methods, in which the user has to log in to each application separately, SSO offers a more streamlined and user-friendly experience. It can also reduce the risk of security breaches, as fewer passwords mean fewer opportunities for credentials to be compromised, although the central account must then be particularly well protected. In addition, SSO can improve productivity by minimising the time users spend logging in to different systems.
What benefits does SSO offer for both users and companies?
For users, SSO means they only have to log in once to access several systems and have fewer passwords to remember. This saves time and reduces frustration over forgotten passwords.
For companies, SSO provides central control of access. When an employee joins or leaves, access to all connected systems can be granted or removed in one place. This reduces the number of password reset requests and makes it easier to introduce strong authentication, such as two-factor authentication, across all systems. It also provides a better overview of who has access to what.
Which security challenges can arise when implementing SSO?
A central challenge with SSO is that one account gives access to many systems. If an attacker obtains the user’s log-in, they can get in everywhere. SSO should therefore always be combined with two-factor authentication and monitoring of unusual access.
The identity provider becomes a critical point, so an outage can block access to all systems. Incorrect configuration of protocols such as SAML or OpenID Connect, for example missing checks of signatures or permitted addresses, can create security holes. Sessions must have appropriate expiry times, and logging out should work across systems.
How can SSO be integrated into existing mobile and web applications?
SSO is typically integrated using standard protocols. OpenID Connect, which builds on OAuth 2.0, is the most widely used choice for modern mobile and web apps, while SAML is often used in enterprise systems. The app sends the user to the identity provider to log in and afterwards receives a token confirming the user’s identity.
In mobile apps, it is recommended to open the log-in in the system browser, for example via ASWebAuthenticationSession on iOS and Custom Tabs on Android, rather than in an embedded web view. PKCE should be used to protect the log-in flow. Most providers offer SDKs that make integration easier.
Which popular SSO solutions are on the market, and how do they differ?
There are several types of SSO solution. Enterprise-oriented identity providers such as Microsoft Entra ID, Okta and Google Workspace are used to give employees access to many internal and external systems with one account.
Consumer apps often use social log-in, such as Sign in with Apple, Google or Facebook, so that users can sign up without a new password. There are also open-source solutions such as Keycloak, which can be run on in-house servers, and services such as Auth0 and Firebase Authentication, which combine several log-in methods. The solutions differ in price, supported protocols, administration and options for storing data in the EU.
How does SSO affect the user experience in an app or on a web platform?
SSO makes it quicker and simpler for users to get started, because they can log in with an account they already have instead of creating a new one with yet another password. This can reduce the number of users who give up during sign-up.
When the user moves between different services from the same provider, they do not need to log in again, which provides a more coherent experience. It is important, however, that the log-in flow is clear and that the user understands which information is shared with the app. On the other hand, if the identity provider is down, users cannot log in.
SSO (Single Sign-On) for dummies
SSO, or Single Sign-On, is a smart technology that makes it possible to log in to several different apps and websites with just one user account and one password. Imagine a key that fits every door in a house, so there is no need to carry a big bunch of keys. With SSO, the same log-in details can be used to access many different services, making it easier and quicker to get started without having to remember lots of different passwords. It is a practical way of making the online experience simpler and more secure.
