What is SSO and how can using it benefit my team?

Single Sign-on or "SSO" is an account authentication process that allows employees to seamlessly sign on to cloud and local applications using a single account, often an email address. If you're an internet user, you've likely encountered SSO before.

Being prompted to sign into a new web account using your existing Gmail or Meta account is an example of Single Sign-On. Instead of creating a brand-new set of credentials, that web application is taking advantage of the many benefits of SSO: Security, Efficiency, and reduced IT costs.  

If you're considering implementing SSO in your own business but aren't sure if it's the right move or where to start, below we cover some of the basics of how Single Sign-On impacts business environments and some resources for where to begin. 

Improved Cybersecurity Posture

With what's known as Centralized Authentication, workplaces can enforce stricter password requirements without causing additional headaches for employees. Instead of requiring each separate application to have its complex password and separate 2FA methods, SSO enables employees to manage just one. By reducing the number of passwords to be managed, you can minimize the risks that simple and repeatable passwords expose your business to. 

Increased Productivity

Fewer passwords mean a faster login process at the start of the workday. Employees can sign in once, then open all other SSO-connected applications and sign in with the click of a button. Though it doesn't sound like substantial time savings on the surface, when used across a team or several dozen employees, that time savings add up when staff no longer spend five to ten minutes resetting lost passwords every few weeks.  

Costs Savings

Single sign-on can lower IT Costs for companies that use an external IT company for helpdesk services. Fewer password reset requests, account unlock requests, and streamlined employee onboarding and offboarding processes account for less IT costs and resources used. Employee transitions with access changes across multiple systems can be completed from a single SSO management platform. Streamlined onboarding processes for new hires can also positively affect employee retention. 

 Compliance and Audits

Lastly, companies that adhere to compliance frameworks with access or permission audit requirements may find SSO incredibly useful. A centralized access management and logging platform streamlines reporting and allows IT to monitor and respond to unauthorized access attempts. SSO can help companies adhere to data privacy and protection regulations and mitigate unauthorized access risks.