What is Single Sign On (SSO) and How it Works?
Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication process that allows a user to access multiple applications or systems with a single set of login credentials. Instead of having to log in separately to each application or service, the user logs in once to a central system, and this authentication grants access to all linked systems and services.
Here’s how it generally works:
- User Authentication: The user logs in to the SSO system with their credentials.
- Token Issuance: After successful authentication, the SSO system generates a token (a piece of data that represents the user’s identity) and sends it to the user’s device.
- Access to Services: When the user tries to access a different application or service, the application checks for the token. If the token is valid, access is granted without requiring a new login.
- Token Validation: The service or application might validate the token with the SSO provider to ensure it’s legitimate and hasn’t expired.
SSO improves user convenience and security by reducing the number of passwords users need to remember and manage. It also simplifies the administration of user accounts for organizations by centralizing authentication and potentially offering more comprehensive monitoring and control.