Single Sign-On (SSO) is a technology that allows users to access multiple applications with a single set of login credentials. This can make it easier for users to log in to applications and can also help to improve security.
There are many different SSO vendors available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. When choosing an SSO vendor, it is important to consider the following factors:
- Features: What features are important to you? Do you need support for multi-factor authentication (MFA)? Do you need to be able to integrate with your existing identity management system?
- Cost: SSO vendors can vary widely in price. It is important to choose a vendor that fits your budget.
- Ease of use: SSO should be easy for both users and administrators to use.
- Support: Choose a vendor that offers good support in case you need help.
If you are not sure which SSO vendor to choose, you can ask for recommendations from other businesses or from IT consultants.
Here are some of the most popular SSO vendors:
• Okta
• Azure Active Directory
• Ping Identity
• Auth0
• OneLogin
Can you bundle a solution for MFA with the introduction of SSO, to further boost security?
Yes, you can bundle a solution for MFA with the introduction of SSO. Most SSO vendors offer MFA integration. This means that you can use your SSO credentials to log in to applications that support MFA.
MFA is an important security measure that can help to protect your accounts from unauthorized access. When you enable MFA, you are required to provide an additional factor of authentication, such as a code from a mobile app or a fingerprint scan, in addition to your password.
Is a vendor-lock almost a given, due to the use case?
Vendor lock-in is a concern with any type of software, including SSO. However, there are a few things you can do to minimize the risk of vendor lock-in:
- Choose an SSO vendor that offers open standards support. This means that you can integrate your SSO solution with other products and services, even if they are not from the same vendor.
- Avoid signing long-term contracts with your SSO vendor. This will give you the flexibility to switch to a different vendor if necessary.
- Develop a migration plan in case you need to switch to a different SSO vendor. This plan should include steps for migrating your user accounts, applications, and data.
Here are some tips for introducing SSO to your company:
- Start by planning. Identify the applications that you want to support with SSO and choose an SSO vendor.
- Implement SSO in phases. Don't try to implement SSO for all of your applications at once. Start with a few applications, and then add more applications over time.
- Communicate with your users. Let your users know about the changes that are coming and how they will affect them.
- Provide training to your users. Make sure that your users know how to use SSO to log in to applications.
SSO can be a valuable security tool for businesses of all sizes. By following the tips above, you can successfully introduce SSO to your company.
