Benefits of Using Single Sign-On

With the wave of cloud computing among businesses, it’s crucial to provide employees with secure and seamless access to applications. As companies grow, it can become challenging to manage users’ accounts and passwords unless they use a single sign-on (SSO) system. SSO is an innovative tool that helps secure your business, improve employee efficiency, save IT time and money, and increase collaboration with partners. 

What is SSO? 

A single sign-on (SSO) is a third-party authentication system that allows users to log in and access multiple websites and applications by using a single set of credentials, such as their username and password. Implementing SSO enables organizations to provide employees with secure and straightforward access to multiple applications from anywhere—all while reducing the complications of IT management.

How Does Single Sign-On Work? 

Single sign-on can be thought of as an identity card for digital logins. So, instead of memorizing unique credentials for each account, a user can access everything, including cloud solutions with one login. With an SSO in place, the login process is easy. 

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: A user requests access to their account

Step 2: The network checks for SSO authentication of the user, and if the identity is associated with a single sign-on, access is granted.

Step 3: If the SSO is not logged in for that account, the account identity provider directs you to an SSO login, where you enter your SSO credentials.

Step 4: Once the association between the SSO ID and the account is confirmed, access is granted. 

The Need for Single Sign-On for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

Enabling a single sign-on system for secure transmission and higher cyber security among businesses has proved significant. SSO is necessary when attempting to facilitate business security with employee uniformity and ease of use. 

Here are the top benefits from implementing SSO in your organization:

Simplifying Logins. Businesses want to enhance user experiences and simplify daily logins for employees. Accessing business systems using SSO credentials saves employees the trouble of setting up and remembering other login information. This results in faster productivity and a more efficient workforce by keeping multi-application access uniform and simple.  

Higher security . As innovative trends in the workplace become more sophisticated, so do cyber criminals. Hackers prefer organizations that have the potential of giving them a large amount of data, including login credentials. With an SSO, the users’ login information is hosted on the third-party authenticator, increasing the cyber security of your network, and streamlining IT management. Security loopholes due to weak or inadequate passwords are nearly eliminated for your company’s online interfaces, with an increase in the likelihood of security procedures being followed. 

Lower IT Expenses. With a working SSO system, the overall IT costs are reduced significantly, as fewer employees and systems are required for management and password management. A survey by Forrester reveals that the password reset cost within an organization is nearly $70 per single reset. Another study by Gartner shows that 20%-50% of all help desk calls are in regards to  password issues. With a single sign-on system, the workload and cost of resetting passwords and usernames are decreased as the third-party SSO provider manages the login credentials. 

Better B2B Collaboration. Business-to-business collaboration is a critical element for every enterprise, no matter the size or its success. Products, as small as mobile phones or as large as automobiles, are manufactured and shipped by the joint efforts of multiple enterprises. SSO plays a significant role in this kind of partnership for businesses by offering coordinated access to various platforms and enabling an efficient collaboration. Single sign-on allows employees from other companies, such as partners or contractors, to access a website or digital applications using SSO tools. Setting up a single sign-on identity makes it easier to build partnerships with other businesses. 

Improved Efficiency & Productivity. Businesses that use single sign-on technology reduce wasted time and errors and see improved efficiency and increased productivity. SSO saves employees’ time and energy spent on issuing help desk tickets. With fewer instances of password resets and the management of user login data, employees focus on other tasks and work more effectively. Additionally, an SSO allows remote employees a seamless work experience, which is critical for the new styles of work being incorporated into how businesses function every day. They can focus more on more important issues if they spend less time troubleshooting login problems. 

With improved cyber security, higher work productivity, reduced time, and energy, and enhanced B2B partnerships, a single sign-on is essential for the day-to-day functioning of your business. Implementing single sign-on or cloud solutions and network business systems helps maintain a secure SMB, lower expenses, and improve overall efficiency.

Visual Edge specializes in managed IT services and security, cloud computing, and print/copy solutions for businesses across the U.S., including remote offices. The company has more than 30 years of technology service with a national network of expert engineers. Request your no-obligation assessment today and get a free dark web analysis.