Single Sign-On
Description
Single Sign-On (SSO) in the context of Non-Human Identity Management refers to a user authentication process that allows users to access multiple applications or services with a single set of login credentials. This is particularly useful in environments where non-human identities, such as service accounts, APIs, or IoT devices, need to authenticate against various systems. By centralizing the authentication process, SSO enhances security and simplifies the user experience, reducing the need for multiple passwords and minimizing the risk of credential theft. In a non-human context, SSO can streamline operations by enabling automated processes, such as microservices communicating with one another, without requiring repeated authentication. This system often employs protocols like OAuth, SAML, or OpenID Connect to facilitate secure token-based access across different platforms. The implementation of SSO can significantly lower the administrative burden of managing multiple identities and can improve the overall security posture by enforcing consistent authentication policies across all systems.
Examples
- A service account that accesses multiple cloud services using a single authentication token.
- An IoT device that connects to a centralized management platform without needing separate credentials for each service.
Additional Information
- SSO can reduce the likelihood of password fatigue, where users forget passwords due to managing too many.
- Implementing SSO can help organizations comply with regulations by enforcing strong authentication measures across all applications.