Single Sign-On Solutions

What are Single Sign-On Solutions?

Single Sign-On (SSO) Solutions present an authentication solution that allows a user to access multiple connected systems by entering credentials once. Single Sign-On enables easier access management for IT administrators by centralizing authorization processes onto an on-premise SSO server or 3rd-party SSO provider. Improved management makes SSO solutions particularly beneficial for rapidly scaling and enterprise organizations.

Single Sign-On capabilities are offered in a range of solutions. For instance, SSO is very common within broader identity management platforms. It’s also frequently bundled with multi-factor authentication and other authentication technologies. Some SSO providers also provide Single Sign-On as a standalone solution.

Single Sign-On vs. Password Management

Single Sign-On is frequently conflated with password management systems. While there are some overlap in the benefits of each type of identity tool, there are key differences in how each technology serves user authentication needs.

SSO uses a unified set of credentials to access multiple systems internally without having to re-log in to each system. In contrast, password management centralizes multiple sets of credentials that users may have to create, both for internal and external systems, and populates those passwords when logging in to each system. SSO systems tend to be centrally managed by IT departments, while password management tools can be more democratized or easily used by individual users for their own convenience. Both kinds of identity management tools allow administrators to more efficiently manage and control passwords and authentication credentials.

Single Sign-On Comparison

When comparing Single Sign-On solutions, consider these factors:

1. Scalability: How well does each solution scale up with the rest of the business? Consider the infrastructure capabilities within each solution, such as maximum numbers of identities, traffic loads, etc. Consider also the pricing structure- is the pricing per-user or tiered at various volumes?

2. On-premise vs. SaaS-based: Like many security solutions, SSO has historically been an on-premise function, but it is trending towards SaaS deployments as the norm. On-premise Single Sign-On can give businesses more administrative control over the solution, which some enterprise IT departments may prefer. However, the lower overhead costs and simplified management from SaaS solutions may be preferable for other organizations.

3. Point solutions vs. security suites: Does the business need a full security or identity management solution, or just the SSO capability? Many identity management products include SSO on top of additional administrative controls. However, they can also include bundled features that may be unnecessary for some organizations.

Pricing Information

Pricing varies dramatically between point solutions and broader security suites. Standalone SSO tends to be priced per user, per month, usually between $1-10.