Single sign-on (SSO) solutions are authentication tools that allows users to sign into multiple applications or databases with a single set of credentials. Federation is the linking of IT systems, organizations, and personal identities with credentials and repositories. The best SSO solutions serve to simplify identification processes and create an uninhibited feel when working to access applications, portals, and servers. The software is designed to provide users with access to multiple applications or datasets without requiring multiple logins.
The goal of SSO software is not only to improve ease of use while navigating across applications but also to minimize work for IT administrators and developers by centralizing access management. SSO products effectively join the desired applications and route logins through an SSO server. These solutions often include features such as dashboards for simplified navigation, application clouds, directory integration, and mobile applications for remote access.
There is some crossover between SSO software and solution types such as cloud identity and access management software, password management software, and user provisioning/governance software, but single sign-on products focus mainly on secure enterprise access to servers, applications, and databases rather than the management of data or passwords.
To qualify for inclusion in the SSO category, a product must:
Allow users access to multiple applications or databases through one portal
Automate authentication to prevent multiple logins
Centralize authentication servers across applications
Provide secure access to applications and data
Integrate login access to business applications