What is Single Sign On?
Single Sign-On is an authentication process that lets users log in once and access all the apps they need—no repeated logins, no juggling passwords. It simplifies access, reduces password fatigue, and helps teams move faster.
By centralizing authentication, SSO gives IT better visibility into who is logging into which applications, helping streamline access management and identify unusual login patterns that may indicate potential risks.
Why use SSO?
When you use Single Sign-On you only need to authenticate once. That session is then trusted across multiple applications and services—no need to log in again and again. It’s a seamless way to keep moving.
SSO also lightens the load on users. Fewer passwords to remember means less friction—and less risk. With fewer login prompts, there are fewer opportunities for credentials to be stolen or reused across apps.
Example of SSO in action
Here’s an example of single sign-on use in a large organization:
A tech company’s employees use various cloud-based tools daily—from email and file storage to CRM platforms and developer environments. Without SSO, each app requires its own login. That means dozens of passwords to manage—and plenty of lost time when credentials are forgotten or reset.
With SSO in place, employees log in once at the start of the day using their corporate credentials. From there, they can access every approved app seamlessly without logging in again. IT admins benefit too—they can manage access from a central dashboard, track activity, and quickly revoke access if someone leaves the company.
The result? Less friction for users. More control for IT. And stronger security across the board.
Related Resources:
Blogs
Federated Identity Management vs. SSO
Single-factor Authentication (SFA) vs. Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
Definitions
What is Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML)?
What is Identity and Access Management (IAM)?
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