Single sign-on is an identification system that allows websites to use trusted sites for users to verify. This frees businesses from the obligation to keep passwords in their databases. It also reduces login troubleshooting. In addition, it minimizes the potential hack damage.
The SSO system works like an ID card. If you are pulled for speed, the police officer does not need to identify you personally. She can only see your license. It also shows that the authority guarantees your identity.
Even with SSO, the website does not prove your identity by checking inside you. It actually asks Google or LinkedIn or Microsoft if they can verify your identity. The site takes their word for it.
Truth be told, SSO practice is a combination of SSO and delegation / federation. It involves many platforms. But this discussion is fundamental.
SSO is working
Understanding SSO implementation requires background. Usually, when someone logs in to the system, the site / service provider certifies you automatically.
- Hit the intermittent page as a user to check if you are already logged in.
- If you are not logged in, the login screen appears;
- You fill out the form and password. Website checks credentials against database, then confirms / denies;
- Once logged in, the website issues a tracker.
As someone walks around the site, the tracker tries to keep your authentication up to date.
In a real SSO system, you’ll just walk around the site with full access. Google, in an assigned system, returns both the identity verification and the set of authorized uses. They can access names and emails, but not age or location.
Benefits
- Ease – Users just need to remember a set of login details. You make sure that scattered users can remember how to log in by connecting your site to their login on Google.
- Transparency – In other words, it is known what is being shared from one system to another. If you are unhappy with the options, you dislike;
- Speed - No need to go through the lengthy sign-up and verification processes used. New users can sign up as soon as they log in to Facebook. Because Facebook has already done all the email verification and data collection.
- Security – The password is really secure.
True SSO system
There is a difference between single sign-on and password vaulting. With password vaulting, you can have the same username and password. However, whenever you visit a different website or application you have to enter it.
Also, once you’ve logged in with the SSO solution, you can access all of the company’s apps and websites without having to log in again. These include on-love and cloud applications that are often available through SSO portals.
Federation SSO Features
SSO solutions using federation enable true sign-on. The identification of this organization is done using the provider. Examples are Microsoft Active Directory or Azure Active Directory. The identity provider acts as the authentication server. In addition, it stores user identities and information, for example, passwords, usernames, domains that the user accesses.
SSO to be true
- The SSO solution is built into the identity provider;
- The SSO solution uses one or more identification providers to authenticate the user.
SSOs build trust. A trust relationship occurs when one domain trusts another’s information regarding the user’s identity, devices, and access privileges.
Above all, IT people are in a constant battle to find the perfect balance between productivity and security. Perhaps the time is coming when SSO will need to assess security risks. We should not be satisfied.
