Did you know that single sign-on is the first line of defense against unauthorized access to your network? User access plays an integral role in cybersecurity. And that's because loopholes are the entry points for cyberattacks.

When you limit the number of login credentials users need to use your system, you leave cybercriminals with fewer opportunities for a hack. So, what exactly is a single sign-on, and what are its benefits? You are about to find out.

What Is Single Sign-On (SSO)?

Single sign-on (SSO) is the capability of logging in seamlessly with one set of credentials—usually a username and password—to gain access to apps, websites, and networks for which you have legitimate permission.

Used on any browser or device, SSO makes it easy for you to access different program applications without having to use multiple usernames and passwords that may be difficult to remember.

What Are the Benefits of Single Sign-On?

Single sign-on protects your business interests by eliminating the risks associated with using multiple login credentials, leading to a more streamlined user experience.

Let's look at some benefits of using single sign-on.

1. Improve Trust Relationships

SSO works based on a trust relationship established between the party that holds the identity information and the one that authenticates the information.

Personal information is a valuable commodity. It's essential to protect your employees' and customers' personal information, as this improves trust in the modern world of IT, where people make use of cloud-based devices to store the majority of data.

As such, your customers and your employees are two of your most valuable assets because, without them, you would not be able to achieve the desired success template that you have set for your company.

2. Build a Productive Working Environment

Single sign-on reduces the time your colleagues at work spend logging in, especially when they have to deal with several passwords. And the quick access leads to increased productivity in the long run.

For example, during your workday, your employees will need access to a variety of applications, and they will have to spend time logging in to each of those applications. In doing this, they have to spend additional time trying to remember which password belongs to which app, as well as changing and resetting passwords when they forget one.

When you add up the time wasted on logging in, you will understand that your team spends a significant amount of time retrieving or logging into applications at work daily. By taking advantage of the benefits of an SSO, you and your team will be able to save lots of productive time every day.

3. Strengthen the Cybersecurity

Since users need to remember one password for various programs, they are more likely to develop a combination of passwords and usernames that is very secure and difficult to guess. Also, users won't need to write down their login credentials for easy recollection when required. Writing down their passwords could expose them to hackers.

SSO benefits your company by following the recommended procedures of online safety, lowering the likelihood that a user's password may be stolen. This helps users mitigate security threats and prevent sensitive data exposure.

4. Eliminate Password Fatigue

Users feel drained when they keep a long list of passwords for their various accounts, and this is known as password fatigue.

When you implement single sign-on, your team members only need to remember one password to access all of your services, which is a significant advantage over traditional login procedures. This also makes it less likely for cybercriminals to carry out a data breach because they'll have fewer password options to work with.

5. Prevent the Use of Shadow IT

The concept of shadow IT isn't new in the field of cybersecurity. It refers to the practice of using authorized tools and apps in the workplace. As cloud-based downloads become more widespread, the potential for danger also increases.

As an IT administrator, you can utilize single sign-on to monitor which apps your staff is using in the workplace. This is because there's always the danger of identity theft, which you can mitigate via the use of an SSO.

6. Increase Software Adoption and Customer Retention

Online users have so much to access on the internet, and they want to be able to do that easily. In today's highly competitive market, customers will always have another choice if yours gives them too much trouble or confusion.

Adopting SSO increases your customer retention rate as more customers will be satisfied with using your services due to the ease they enjoy. The reverse is the case if you make them go through much hassle.

7. Reduce the Likelihood of a Hack

A combined multi-factor authentication, SSO is an excellent strategy to enhance security and reduce the likelihood of hacks from external influences. Since hackers aren't privy to the single login details, they'll have nothing to work with.

With good practices, SSO can help you significantly reduce the likelihood of a password-related hack. Users of your applications may be more likely to create strong and difficult-to-guess passwords.

8. Increase Employee Job Satisfaction

Employees are increasingly using apps at work to complete tasks, and each third-party service requires a unique username and password.

A large percentage of your employees must switch between apps every hour. This places a significant burden on your employees, especially your IT staff. On the other hand, employee productivity improves significantly with access to workstations without interruption.

9. Simplify Username and Password Management

SSO streamlines the process of managing login names and passwords. It also reduces the workload of your IT team when you implement changes to your systems. Instead of dealing with multiple login credentials, they have just one for each person.

A single sign-on is also very helpful for employee onboarding and offboarding. For instance, when a team member leaves, you can easily remove or revoke their access to your system.

Overcome Cyberattacks With Single Sign-On

Single sign-on is a win for all parties using a network or web application as no one enjoys entering their credentials every time. Users can get straight to their work without jeopardizing their security.

With single sign-on, you can protect your network from cyber threats and attacks by implementing an integrated SSO system. Not only does it relieve you and your team from the burden of having to remember several passwords, but it also reduces the number of calls to the IT department to fix problems with password security.