What is Single Sign-On (SSO)? How SSO works, its advantages, disadvantages & challenges and how to solve them
About Single Sign-On (SSO) and its advantages, disadvantages & challenges and their solutions.
What is Single Sign-On (SSO)?
Single Sign-On (SSO) is a mechanism that allows users to access multiple cloud services, web services, and applications with a single login operation. Users do not need to remember multiple passwords for convenience. SSO also avoids password list attacks when the same ID and password are used for all web services and leaked. Benefits include improved convenience and enhanced security.
How Single Sign-On Works
There are several Single Sign-On (SSO) schemes, each using a different technology for authentication. The following is a detailed description of some of the most common methods
Federation methods
(e.g., SAML authentication)
A method called SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) authentication uses an IdP (Identity Provider) for single sign-on. After logging in to the IdP, the user can automatically log in to use other services because the IdP sends authentication information when using other services.
Agent Method
An agent is installed on each web server or application server and sends user authentication information to a central authentication server. The agent manages authentication and allows users to access multiple applications with a single login.
Reverse Proxy Method
Authenticates users through a reverse proxy. The user accesses the reverse proxy server, and upon successful authentication, the proxy server sends the request to the application on behalf of the user. This method has the advantage that it can be deployed without modifying existing applications.
Proxy Authentication Method
An authentication proxy server authenticates on behalf of the user. The user logs into the proxy server, and the proxy server authenticates each application on behalf of the user. This method simplifies access to multiple systems with a single login.
Transparent Method
Single sign-on is performed through a relay server called a transparent server. When a user accesses a Web application, the transparent server sends login information as necessary to achieve single sign-on.
Advantages of Single Sign-On
The main benefits of single sign-on include
Increased Convenience
Single sign-on (SSO) allows users to access multiple applications and services with a single login, eliminating the need to enter passwords. This simplifies user login procedures and improves operational efficiency.
Enhanced Security
SSO provides strong authentication for multiple services and centralizes password management. This enhances security by reducing the risk of passwords being reused or leaked.
Ease of Management
SSO allows IT administrators to centrally manage user access, making it easy to create and delete accounts. Centralized management of access logs also facilitates auditing and compliance.
Single Sign-On (SSO)
Disadvantages & Challenges and their Solutions
HENNGE One solves the following disadvantages and challenges of Single Sign-On (SSO)
Disadvantages & Challenges #1
Complex configuration and integration
Integration with existing systems and applications is required, and its configuration is technically complex and requires expertise.
Solution #1
HENNGE One is,
A wide variety of integration manuals are available.
In addition, free verification services are also available.
HENNGE has conducted integration verification with various SaaS and provides integration manuals. HENNGE One also provides free support for connection verification with cloud services that do not have a track record of single sign-on implementation.
Demerit & Issue #2
Increased Dependency
If the SSO system goes down, access to all federated systems will be restricted at once, which may cause a significant disruption to business operations.
Solution #2
HENNGE One is,
offers high availability.
And we offer a what-if guarantee.
HENNGE One’s Single Sign-On (SSO) provides high availability and delivers unstoppable service so that information system staff and users can use the service with peace of mind. If the monthly uptime falls below 99.9%, the service fee will be reduced from the annual fee for the following year’s contract period.
Disadvantages & Challenges #3
Increased security
Federated IdP requires multi-factor authentication (MFA), strong encryption, and continuous security monitoring.
Solution #3
HENNGE One’s
Strong Security
HENNGE One has various measures against unauthorized access, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), terminal authentication, and depasswordization, to strengthen data access security.
Disadvantages & Challenges #4
Cost
Installation and operation costs must be properly managed, and long-term cost-effectiveness must be taken into account.
Solution #4
HENNGE One is,
No charge by the number of linked SaaS
HENNGE One does not charge by the number of SaaS linked to the SaaS. HENNGE One provides a scalable service that can be expanded in the future when the number of cloud services increases.
To provide high availability, minimize the risk of system downtime, and mitigate security risks, HENNGE One deploys multi-factor authentication (MFA) to strongly protect user accounts from unauthorized access. This allows users to securely and seamlessly access multiple systems with a single login, greatly improving security and efficiency across the enterprise. It can also be linked to over 230 various cloud services, making it the No. 1 cloud security service in Japan in terms of market share.
HENNGE One single sign-on (SSO) portal
We provide a portal that summarizes login URLs to each service for each user.
Improved Convenience
The portal displays a list of link icons for available services with URL links embedded. This reduces the time and effort required for users to search for login pages, contributing to improved convenience.
Customizability
The administrator can set the display and non-display of services displayed on the portal for each user. Users can also rearrange the order of the services themselves.
Two login methods
There are two ways to log in to HENNGE One (SSO Portal) and directly to each cloud service, supporting a variety of service login methods.
Single sign-on (SSO) is an important technology that provides both convenience and security. For disadvantages and challenges, HENNGE One offers an excellent solution in its implementation. We hope that companies and organizations will consider implementing HENNGE One to enhance user experience while strengthening information security.
Single Sign-On (SSO) is closely related to Identity as a Service (IDaaS) solutions, which are cloud-based identity management and authentication services that facilitate SSO implementation, centralize management, and enhance organization-wide security. and centralized management to enhance the security of your entire organization.
To learn more about IDaaS, please visit our ” What is IDaaS? page.