How to Leverage SSO for Better Data Collection
In the present high-risk environment of cybersecurity, breaches of data are in the billions in terms of the exposed records. For companies having a secure network, security is crucial. However, it’s crucial from a business perspective to ensure that they have secure access for employees and customers to access the information they require to run their business.
The issue is that a lot of businesses still depend on passwords. Although passwords are intended to provide security but they’re a shambles. Why? because people are more likely to select simple and short passwords that are simple to remember and to reuse the same passwords of five or six across a myriad of websites.
Even if your customers or employees use complex and distinctive passwords, they’re probably experiencing the effects of the fatigue of passwords. It’s the feeling of fatigue or anger caused by being required to remember multiple passwords in order to check their emails or pay their bills and other aspects of their daily lives. It’s a common feeling in this day and age, where the average person is able to remember around 70 to 100 passwords.
What’s the alternative to passwords?
Single sign-on, which is a comprehensive approach to authentication, has become an increasingly popular security option that gives users access to their accounts and provides convenience. Organizations that use it also benefit from an improved view of information that will allow for more control, integration, and the aggregation.
How do you define single sign-on?
SSO stands for Single Sign-On. (known by the acronym SSO) is an advanced authentication method and security barriers. With SSO the user’s personal information — also known as “claims” to their identity are kept by an independent entity known as the identity service provider.
A lot of the web, organization and cloud applications you’re using use identity providers which allow you to connect to the sites or documents you require using the same account with a set of login credentials. In this way they help large businesses and cloud-based apps to control their access, access, and security levels eliminating the password issue and enhancing security.
For instance, if you as a lot of other users who have used Zoom yesterday, you likely have used an identity service (if you do not have a specific Zoom login and username). You can sign in with the SSO, Google, or Facebook login. This is just one example of using a single combination of credentials to sign in into a third-party application.
However, there is no guarantee. If hackers gain access to your master sign-in credentials the system you have designed to prevent an attack could give wide access to criminals. However, SSO stacks the odds in your favor, while minimizing the risks associated with passwords and security risks that arise from an attack on your account.
The best part about SSO for companies -some of which have migrated their own companies to the cloud is that users’ commonly stored credentials, as well as the associated data (first/last name, name address, job title, etc. ) is shared across applications. So, single sign-on provides users with use of the applications they require.
How Does SSO Work?
The primary aspect that makes up SSO is the identity provider relationship.
The web, enterprise or cloud application users trying to sign into will utilize an identity provider to authenticate them using the use of a security token. This token will be activated by the time the user enters their master login credentials. All calls to the server are verified using the token (or the sign-in keys for the particular service provider). What exactly does the security token include? A digitally signed document filled with details about the identity of person who is calling the server.
There are three common identity authentication types, or configurations that are used for SSO. Consider them as distinct structures or rules that govern an authentication procedure.
OAuth: A free authorization framework that was developed and endorsed through Google, Twitter, and other organizations, OAuth utilizes tokens to authenticate identity without divulging passwords by providing the app secure access. An excellent example is the Zoom scenario that was mentioned earlier, or when you log into Netflix by using Facebook credentials. Facebook credentials.
Kerberos developed in the 1980s by MIT in the 1980s. Kerberos has enhanced cryptography and requires authentication of tickets by three distinct entities. OS systems such as Windows, Apple, and Linux have accepted it.
SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) It is possibly the most used protocol, and one that is used by HubSpot-sponsored SSO companies, SAML allows users to authenticate once and then re-authenticates that user across different applications. The variety of code systems and protocols that are available on the internet is enormous however SAML bridges the gap by allowing different devices to connect with each other regardless of their specifications.
An additional layer of security known as multifactor authentication (MFA) is able to work with SSO. MFA grants access only after presenting two or more items of “proof.” A byproduct of MFA Two-factor authentication (2FA) typically involves the use of a code that is sent to your mobile phone. The use of SSO and MFA in conjunction greatly minimizes the risk of a compromised account.
Alongside improved security, SSO provides organizations with the ability to efficiently manage disparate databases and knowledge silos between their users. Let’s look at the ways SSO can provide these benefits.
How SSO Plays a Role in Better Data
SSO can give businesses confidence in the accuracy and reliability of information about users for a wide range of instances.
The details of any user on the server used to create the security of a login will be linked to the information provided by that person or group. This means you’ll get better, more precise data attribution of the actions of these users when you fill in forms, or employing internal programs.
In addition, if you don’t want to go down the rabbit hole, it’s not a stretch to conclude that data that is more accurate will inform artificial intelligence to be used to provide a range of uses. For instance, SSO permits Enterprise users access to chatbots powered by AI that automatically access data about their business (or credentials) in order to complete essential actions.
This isn’t unnoticed by the market and leads to steady growth for SSO. Single sign-on sales are forecast to grow to around $1.6 billion by 2021. This is a rate of growth of 90 percent.
It is logical. When you consider the size of biggest companies and organizations around the globe, making sure that only the appropriate users are able to access the software and apps that are associated with them and their usage patterns is crucial. The sheer volume of users calls for high-level administration (IT as well as departmental) aggregate, as well as segmentation of users to facilitate efficient decision-making, whether it’s the internal system, organizational service investments, or even more.
The main principle of the way SSO operates is the same reason it plays an important role in a better data collection. SSO allows for an organizational system that allows for effective data integration and management that spans several sources, or, in other words it is a one source for truth.
Without SSO numerous users log into cloud or web applications through various methods. Every time they login, businesses expose themselves to security and data leaks. Furthermore, when users have their own logins to apps, the process of collecting data can be complex. For instance, a person might claim that, even while they work for an company, they have ownership of some of the information (sourced via an app that they developed). With SSO the enterprise holds all the data collected through applications that they use.
Single Sign-on Solutions
SSO is gaining popularity among businesses and companies due to its numerous advantages. Centralizing databases help verify user information and provides an overall overview of the usage. The prevention of data breaches helps prevent attacks and gives one source to maintain identity.
Here’s a selection of SSO solution providers that can aid your business in taking an increased approach to data and security.
Microsoft Azure (Active Directory)
If you opt for Azure AD and are connected with MS cloud service, you’ll be able to enjoy an easy extension of your the systems you use for your company network. Azure’s massive scale is evident when it handles more than 1.2 billion accounts and handles more than 8 billion authentications each day. With the annual expenditure of $1 billion for research and development in cybersecurity Azure’s army of experts is impressive.
Okta
The Okta brand is well-known in the market for its flexibility and the usability of its cloud-based service, Okta offers real-time security reporting for management of mobile devices and geolocation tracking. Okta’s integrated network includes more than 6,500 apps that are pre-integrated to provide SSO. On the front of user experience, Okta features a portal that allows users to log in and access all of their apps, specific to each of their devices, and customized according to their needs.
OneLogin
OneLogin is a simple and safe identity management and security (IAM) platform that offers the ability to access your account with one click. OneLogin is popular with companies that want to connect their employees to cloud-based applications. Once users are signed in to their OS, they do not have to sign in once more to use apps. This is thereby increasing efficiency and improving security.
DuoSecurity
With the support of Cisco, Duo SSO offers an easy and user-friendly interface to sign in to your applications. It allows you to create access policies based on roles and device type, as well as location as well as other contextual variables. The platform also supports third-party authentication methods at login.
LastPass
A better fit for the small-sized business market, LastPass is a neat and simple-to-use SSO solution that provides cloud-based authentication, compliance and management of identities (via vaulting of passwords). The features offered might be less extensive than other competitors in the industry.
SSO Is the Path to Better Data
Single sign-on’s purpose is to give users an easy and secure access to all the software they require to make use of every day. Alongside security and ease of use, SSO also gives organizations administrators and managers a streamlined solution to connect various databases and knowledge silos for their users.
SSO provides a single view of the use of data, internal segmentation of user information, and precise analysis of data from external sources. The most important aspect is the concept of having one point of reference, and organizations are now able to use a framework that has unifying data from a variety of sources. Whichever method a company decides to choose the single sign-on feature will to provide the creation of more accurate, cleaner data.
