Single Sign-On (SSO) is an identification method that enables users to log in to multiple applications and websites with one set of credentials. SSO works by sharing and verifying login credentials between service and identity providers. A service provider (SP) is typically a vendor who provides products, solutions, and services to users and organizations, such as an application or website. An identity provider (IdP) is a system that creates, manages, and maintains user identities and provides authentication services to verify users. SSO streamlines the authentication process and improves user experience by reducing password fatigue.

SSO is a federated identity management (FIM) tool, also referred to as identity federation. It performs identity verification, a crucial identity and access management (IAM) process, which is a framework that allows organizations to securely confirm the identity of their users and devices when they enter a network. SSO solutions use tokens that contain identifying bits of information about the user, such as a users email address or a username.

Although SSO is a convenience to users, it presents risks to enterprise security. An attacker who gains control over a users SSO credentials is granted access to every application the user has rights to, increasing the amount of potential damage. To avoid malicious access, SSO should be coupled with identity governance, and organizations can also use two-factor authentication (2FA) or multifactor authentication with SSO to improve security.

In summary, SSO is an authentication method that allows users to securely authenticate with multiple applications and websites by using just one set of credentials. It streamlines the authentication process, improves user experience, and reduces password fatigue. However, it presents risks to enterprise security, and organizations should couple SSO with identity governance and use 2FA or multifactor authentication to improve security.