Single Sign-On
Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication service that allows users to access multiple applications or systems with one set of login credentials, eliminating the need to remember separate usernames and passwords for each service.
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What is Single Sign-On?
Single Sign-On (SSO) is a session and user authentication service that lets users access multiple applications or systems using just one set of login credentials. Rather than juggling separate usernames and passwords for every app you use, you authenticate once through a trusted identity provider and that opens the door to all your connected systems. This centralized approach to identity management cuts down on password fatigue and, perhaps more importantly, tends to strengthen security through more consistent access control.
The way SSO actually works is through a trust relationship between an application (the service provider) and an identity provider. When you sign in, the identity provider issues authentication tokens that contain your user information. These tokens then get shared with whatever applications you're authorized to use. The most common protocols making this possible are SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language), OAuth 2.0, and OpenID Connect (OIDC), all of which handle secure authentication across different systems.
For enterprise environments especially, SSO has become pretty much essential. Think about how many SaaS tools the average company uses now. Organizations rely on SSO to give employees centralized access to internal tools like email, HR systems, CRM platforms, and documentation repositories, which makes a real difference for both security and day-to-day user experience.
Key Characteristics of Single Sign-On
- Centralized Authentication: You authenticate once through a trusted identity provider, and that grants you access to multiple connected applications without having to log in again and again.
- Token-Based Access: SSO uses secure tokens instead of passwords. These get exchanged between the identity provider and service providers to verify who you are.
- Protocol Standards: SSO implementations follow industry-standard protocols like SAML, OAuth 2.0, and OpenID Connect, which ensures things work reliably across different platforms.
- Reduced Password Management: Fewer credentials to keep track of means less password fatigue and a lower chance of people reusing weak passwords across systems.
- Enhanced Security Controls: Organizations can enforce consistent security policies, add multi-factor authentication, and quickly revoke access across all systems when someone leaves or when there's a security concern.
Single Sign-On Examples
Example 1: Enterprise Employee Access
A manufacturing company sets up SSO so employees can reach their email, HR portal, training documentation system, manufacturing execution software, and quality management tools. Staff log in once in the morning with their company credentials, and SSO handles authentication across all six systems throughout the day. No more password prompts interrupting their work.
Example 2: Social Login for Consumer Apps
A project management platform lets users sign in through Google, Microsoft, or LinkedIn. New users can get started using credentials they already have, which saves them from creating yet another username and password. It speeds up onboarding quite a bit.
Single Sign-On vs Multi-Factor Authentication
These two often get used together, but SSO and multi-factor authentication (MFA) do different things when it comes to user access management.
| Aspect | Single Sign-On | Multi-Factor Authentication |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Simplifies access across multiple applications with one login | Adds extra verification steps to confirm user identity |
| Scope | Manages authentication across multiple systems | Applies to individual login events |
| When to use | When users need access to multiple connected applications | When additional security verification is required beyond passwords |
How Glitter AI Helps with Single Sign-On
Glitter AI integrates with enterprise SSO systems to provide seamless access to documentation creation and management tools. When your organization has SSO in place, team members can access Glitter's screen recording, process documentation, and knowledge management features using their existing corporate credentials. This means documentation workflows stay in line with corporate security policies, and there's no extra friction in the content creation process.
For teams managing training materials and employee onboarding documentation, SSO integration means new hires can jump right into Glitter's documentation library with the same credentials they use everywhere else. It creates a more unified experience that supports documentation culture and reinforces your single source of truth for organizational knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Single Sign-On mean?
Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication service that allows users to access multiple applications or systems using one set of login credentials, so you don't have to log in separately to each application.
What is an example of Single Sign-On?
A typical example is when employees log in once to their company account and automatically gain access to email, HR systems, project management tools, and documentation platforms without entering credentials again for each application.
Why is Single Sign-On important?
SSO reduces password fatigue, improves productivity by eliminating repeated logins, strengthens security through centralized authentication controls, and simplifies IT management of user access across multiple systems.
How does Single Sign-On improve security?
SSO improves security by centralizing authentication controls, enabling consistent enforcement of security policies like multi-factor authentication, reducing the number of passwords users must manage, and allowing quick access revocation across all systems when needed.
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