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Single Sign-On: More Secure Than It Sounds
Updated: 7 hours ago
Introduction
With so much advanced cybercriminal technology and the ever-expanding Dark Web, more and more businesses and professionals are turning their focus toward greater online security. These changes are happening all over the world. For example, has your company recently started asking (or requiring) you to participate in phishing exercises or security awareness training?
As more people take action to protect their private online data, there’s a rise in the use of password managers, multi-factor authentication, stronger password requirements, and more. One way to protect your accounts from hackers is by using single sign-on.
What Is SSO?
Single sign-on, better known as SSO, is an encrypted database that holds the key to your various accounts. You only have to log in to that one main hub, the single sign-on platform, and then you have access to all the associated SaaS applications. This secures all your accounts by verifying your identity once and makes these programs much easier to use. This saves time and, therefore, money if you regularly need the connected applications throughout your workday.
SSO often goes hand in hand with multi-factor authentication. The more secure your main data hub is, the less risk you have of your personal information being compromised or your accounts being hacked and used to spread malware to your friends' lists.
Still sound overly complex? Here’s a real-world example you definitely know: Google. When you log into that one central Google account, you can access your email, Drive, YouTube, and much more. SSOs are a fast, secure way to access a network of interconnected applications without signing in to a bunch of different sites. You might already use one in your personal life.
Other Advantages of SSO
It’s quickly gaining popularity, but SSO isn't a brand-new concept. Before cybersecurity became as much of a priority as efficient workflow, many businesses saw it as an extra barrier to starting applications, or a costly hindrance rather than a security tool. However, SSO also adds convenience these days.
Consider this: You’re the manager of an organization with three different security levels, but everyone uses the same SSO platform. How can you guarantee that lower-level employees aren’t accessing files or applications that are either inappropriate or a waste of time for their position?
This is where some research comes in. Different SSO services may integrate with software or have internal features that let the group’s administrator create specific roles and privileges. They can then assign one to every individual and, from a bird’s-eye view of the organization, create various permissions and access for all three security levels. This creates not only secure accounts for each employee, but also an organization better defended against intentional and accidental threats alike.
Conclusion
Cybercriminals are always looking for ways to hack into accounts, steal login credentials, and/or sell your personally identifiable information (PII) on the Dark Web. With threats abound, securing all of your accounts is paramount. That means:
Complex, alphanumeric passwords that differ for every account
Set up multi-factor authentication with QR codes, fingerprint or face ID, one-time passwords, or another preferred method to confirm your identity before logging in
Logging out of accounts and shutting down systems when you’re done using them
Secure password managers with encrypted databases to easily autofill log-in fields
Locking down your workstation whenever you’re away, even if it’s only a few minutes
Updating your systems and software as new versions become available
These are just some of the moving parts that go into your overarching cybersecurity posture. Keep an ear out for breaking industry news, trends, defenses, and threats so that you can recognize and react to breaches as they come. More importantly, you can secure your accounts before hackers even get close.
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