5 Common SSO Integrations to Consider Before Choosing a Solution

Single sign-on (SSO) is an access control technology in which the user only has to use one set of credentials to access multiple apps. This approach to identity verification aims to simplify the user experience by reducing the number of necessary passwords without sacrificing network security.

SSO integrations enable network admins to choose from a variety of external services in the user authentication process. Services like Zoom, Slack, and Google Drive can be made automatically accessible, and users don’t have to worry about managing separate credentials for each account.

Normally, to access different apps and services, a user must log in to each account individually and log out at the end of each session. This model highlights the issues that occur with frequent password use, like weak passwords and wasted time managing dozens of passwords.

An SSO integration, meanwhile, allows the user to log in once. Then, authentication tokens work in the background to authorize access to other apps and platforms. This simple, time-saving technology can be implemented by everyone from individual users to large organizations. 

SSO integrations facilitate credential management and minimize risks like unauthorized access and compromised accounts. SSO simplifies the user experience for both employees and admins, as it can be added to your existing infrastructure. As an organization, you can continue using the same software, apps, and services, thus limiting the costs of this security upgrade.

SSO strikes a balance between efficiency and security. Because users have a single login rather than dozens, you can more easily work with them to ensure that login is strong and unique.

Organizations can choose from countless single sign-on integration options depending on the provider and what additional features they’re looking for. However, some SSO solutions are more popular than others, preferred by users and admins for their versatility and ease of use.

Microsoft Active Directory is a proprietary name service that maps the resources of a network to their assigned network addresses. It was developed with Windows Server and Domain Networks in mind, enabling network admins to manage access permissions to network resources.

Many apps have built-in integration compatibility with Microsoft Active Directory. If they don’t, you can still use the application’s programming interface (API) to set up custom integration parameters. This seamless integration takes advantage of Active Directory’s centralized user management system, making it easier to provision user access across multiple apps and services.

Active Directory is easily scalable on a Windows-based system and capable of supporting multiple domains across geographic locations.

The LDAP is a vendor-agnostic application protocol used for locating, accessing, and maintaining network data. It keeps track of distributed directory information services, connecting users with network resources and devices across public and private networks.

When combined with SSO, LDAP connects the user to all the necessary network resources, services, and apps following the initial verification of their identity. The protocol takes over communications with all linked apps as long as they’re compatible with web apps.

Furthermore, LDAP can be used alongside other security protocols such as OAuth 2.0 and OpenID when enabling SSO for identity management. Users have free access to the network’s databases, apps, and connected IoT devices over a secure connection, minimizing the risks of unauthorized access or password fatigue.

OAuth (Open Authorization) is an access authorization framework that verifies user consent to interact with apps or websites that access their information. It’s an industry standard for access delegation, interacting with apps on behalf of the user through access tokens instead of usernames and passwords.

When you integrate SSO with OAuth, users will be able to access multiple apps using OAuth 2.0 or any other of the many open-source OAuth 2.0 projects. The use of tokens instead of passwords minimizes exposure to risk, as access tokens can be configured to have limited scope and lifespan.

Security Assertion Markup Language is a standard for data exchange between two parties, usually an identity provider and a service provider or app. Similar to OAuth, it makes use of authentication tokens to verify the identity of the service provider and maintain credential security.

In a SAML-based SSO setup, little messages called SAML assertions are used to authenticate the communication between the user and the service provider. These assertions are secure XML documents that operate as authentication tokens. The documents contain the user authentication information required to access the resource without needing to provide their logins.

This setup is widely used in enterprise environments for its ability to support both on-premises and cloud-based apps, allowing for a more diverse application of the technology.

OpenID Connect is an extension of the OAuth 2.0 framework and an identity authentication protocol that standardizes the authentication and authorization process for signing into third-party apps. It uses JSON web tokens (JWTs) to obtain basic user information to verify their identity and current authorization.

While it can be used by the employees of an organization, OIDC is primarily targeted at consumers. It allows individuals to make use of SSO to access bundles of sites, services, and apps without the need to repeatedly authenticate their identities. This is thanks to the protocol's wide app compatibility and simplification of the user identity layer.

When deciding to integrate SSO into your security infrastructure, there are multiple considerations to choosing the right solution for your organization.

While most SSO integrations are widely compatible, making sure the integration works with your legacy systems and current infrastructure is crucial. Fortunately, many SSO solutions also offer middleware and intermediaries that can bridge the gap between disparate systems and platforms.

Since you’re relying on a single set of credentials for seamless access to multiple apps and services, having layered protection is key to robust password security. Built-in features such as multifactor authentication (MFA), encryption, session management, and robust token validation help minimize SSO risks.

Consider the scalability of the SSO solution and how it might affect future growth and restructuring efforts. The system should be capable of handling an increased number of users and network resources without taking a dip in performance and reliability.

An efficient and intuitive user experience is often one of the main motives behind the desire to adopt SSO. Not all integration options are user-friendly and some of them are better suited for users in the IT department instead of general employees.

From employee training and licensing fees to configuration expenses, it’s important to strike a balance between the upfront costs and long-term benefits of an SSO implementation. In some cases, it might be best to use a phased approach. Start by implementing the tech for users who are most likely to suffer from password fatigue or ones who have access to sensitive data before gradually expanding.

Using single sign-on, employees are able to access multiple apps, services, and remote devices with one credential. Not only does this create a smooth user experience, but it also reduces the risks associated with juggling numerous passwords.

Dashlane Confidential SSO & Provisioning uses confidential computing and secure enclave technology to streamline logins. Businesses benefit from enterprise-level security with easy setup and maintenance, and users appreciate the streamlined workflow and intuitive UX.

Learn about the real-world benefits—and limitations—of SSO technology in our white paper, “The Power of Integrated SSO and Password Management.”

Dashlane

Dashlane is a web and mobile app that simplifies password management for people and businesses. We empower organizations to protect company and employee data, while helping everyone easily log in to the accounts they need—anytime, anywhere.

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