Tag: Single Sign-on (SSO)

IAM Using SSO and Federated Identity Management

Have you ever wondered how large organizations let employees access multiple applications securely without juggling dozens of passwords? The answer lies in Identity and Access Management (IAM), a critical framework that ensures the right people have the right access at the right time. Two of the most common solutions in IAM are Single Sign-On (SSO) and Federated Identity Management. While both aim to simplify access and strengthen security, they serve different purposes and operate in distinct ways.

In this article, we’ll explore the roles of SSO and federated identity in modern enterprises, highlight their benefits, and explain why SSO is often the go-to choice for organizations looking to improve security and user experience.

Role of Single Sign-On (SSO) in Identity and Access Management

Single Sign-On (SSO) is a solution that allows users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple applications within a single organization. In today’s enterprise environments, employees often need access to dozens of apps, both cloud-based and on-premise. Without SSO, they must remember multiple credentials, which increases the risk of weak passwords, forgotten credentials, and security breaches.

In IAM, SSO plays a critical role in both security and productivity:

  • Centralized Authentication

    SSO consolidates all authentication points into a single identity provider (IdP). IT teams can enforce consistent security policies across every application in the organization, including password rules, multi-factor authentication, and access levels.

     

  • Improved User Experience

    Users log in once and gain access to all authorized applications. This eliminates the frustration of multiple logins, improves productivity, and reduces IT helpdesk requests related to password resets.

     

  • Real-Time Monitoring and Audit

    IT teams can track user activity across all applications, detect anomalies, and respond to potential threats quickly, strengthening overall security.

     

  • Support for Hybrid Environments

    Whether employees are using cloud apps, on-premise applications, or a mix of both, SSO ensures seamless access without compromising security.

A practical example of SSO in action is Google Workspace. With one Gmail login, employees can access Drive, Calendar, Sites, and other applications without logging in again. By centralizing authentication, SSO reduces password fatigue, improves security, and streamlines identity and access management.

What is Federated Identity Management?

Federated Identity Management, also known as Federated SSO, extends the concept of SSO across organizational boundaries. Essentially, it allows users from one organization to securely access applications in another organization without creating separate credentials.

To understand federated identity, think of it as a trust framework between multiple identity providers. Each organization agrees to certain standards and protocols to share authentication and authorization information securely.

Key points about federated identity include:

  • Cross-Organization Access

    Federated identity allows employees or partners from one organization to access resources in another organization without separate login credentials.

     

  • Standardized Protocols

    Trust relationships between identity providers are built using protocols such as SAML, OAuth 2, OpenID, and WS-Federation.

     

  • Multiple Federation Models

    Federation can involve multiple applications within a single organization, applications across multiple organizations, or multiple IdPs trusting a central IdP.

     

  • Security Through Trust

    Digital signatures, encryption, and PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) ensure that authentication data is secure and verifiable.

     

If you’re asking what is the function of a federated identity, it is to securely share user authentication and authorization across networks while giving users seamless access to multiple services. This is especially valuable for enterprises collaborating with partners, suppliers, or other organizations.

Key Benefits of SSO and Why It’s Better Than Federated Identity Management

Both Single Sign-On (SSO) and Federated Identity Management are important tools within identity and access management (IAM), but SSO often provides more practical and immediate benefits for most enterprises. Here’s a closer look at why SSO stands out:

1. Simplified Deployment and Management

Implementing SSO within a single organization is much simpler than setting up federated identity systems, which require cross-organization agreements and trust frameworks. With SSO, IT teams can deploy authentication controls quickly across all applications used within the enterprise, without worrying about external dependencies. This makes onboarding new employees and applications faster and more efficient.

2. Enhanced Security

Centralized authentication is one of the biggest advantages of SSO. By consolidating login processes through a single identity provider (IdP), organizations can enforce consistent security policies such as strong password requirements, multi-factor authentication, and device compliance checks. This reduces the likelihood of weak passwords, password reuse, and other vulnerabilities. Federated identity, while secure across organizations, introduces more complexity, which can create potential gaps if not managed carefully.

3. Improved User Experience

Employees no longer need to remember dozens of credentials for different applications. With SSO, logging in once grants access to all authorized applications, improving workflow efficiency and reducing frustration. A smooth and intuitive login experience also encourages better adherence to security practices, as users are less likely to circumvent security measures to save time.

4. Reduced IT Overhead

SSO significantly decreases helpdesk tickets related to password resets or account lockouts, saving IT teams both time and resources. With federated identity, IT teams must also manage trust relationships, agreements, and integrations across multiple organizations, which adds complexity and administrative effort.

5. Scalability for Enterprise Growth

As organizations expand and adopt new applications, SSO makes it easy to scale authentication without compromising security or user convenience. Adding a new application typically involves connecting it to the existing IdP, rather than creating new accounts for every employee. Federated identity, in contrast, requires additional setup for every external organization involved.

6. Centralized Monitoring and Compliance

SSO allows IT teams to monitor user activity in real time across all connected applications. Audit trails, login histories, and access reports are all consolidated, making it easier to demonstrate compliance with regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001. Federated identity can also provide monitoring, but tracking cross-organizational access often requires more complex reporting and coordination.

7. Faster Incident Response

In the event of a security incident, SSO enables IT administrators to quickly revoke access to all connected applications from a single dashboard. This centralized control is crucial for limiting damage and maintaining security. Federated identity systems require coordination between multiple organizations, which can slow down response times.

In short, while federated identity management is essential for inter-organizational collaboration, SSO offers enterprises a more streamlined, secure, and user-friendly approach to identity and access management. It simplifies operations, enhances security, and improves the overall employee experience, making it the preferred solution for internal enterprise environments.

Conclusion: The Future of IAM with SSO

With cloud applications, hybrid work, and remote teams becoming the norm, managing who can access what has never been more important. Identity and Access Management (IAM) is at the heart of keeping enterprise systems secure, and Single Sign-On (SSO) has proven to be one of the most effective ways to simplify access while maintaining strong security. By letting users log in once to access all their authorized applications, SSO reduces password fatigue, limits security risks, and saves time for both employees and IT teams.

Federated Identity Management still plays a key role when organizations need to collaborate across networks, but it comes with added complexity. For most enterprises looking to streamline operations and maintain control, SSO offers a more practical, reliable, and secure solution. Centralized authentication allows IT teams to enforce policies consistently, monitor access in real time, and respond quickly if something goes wrong.

Investing in a strong SSO solution today means preparing your organization for the future. It makes scaling easier, supports compliance with regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, and ensures employees can access the tools they need without friction.

Ultimately, organizations that implement SSO can focus on growth, innovation, and productivity, knowing their systems are secure and their teams have seamless access to the applications they rely on every day.

Ready to Simplify Access and Strengthen Security? Talk to us now!

What does SSO (Single Sign-On) mean and How It Works in Enterprise Environments

Every day, employees face dozens of login screens. Each one demands a password, and each one slows them down. Single sign-on, or SSO, changes that. It lets users log in once and move freely across multiple applications. We are often asked, “What is single sign-on?” And this is important to understand, because understanding how SSO works means recognizing a shift – from scattered credentials to unified access. In enterprise environments, this simple idea transforms security and productivity alike.

Tired of multiple logins? Akku’s SSO/IDP offers one-click access to all your apps – secure, efficient, and enterprise-ready.

Single Sign-on (SSO) Meaning: One Login, Multiple Benefits

Let’s begin with the meaning of SSO. The full form of SSO is Single Sign-On. At face value, it’s a convenience tool. Log in once and you’re in to everything. But its essence is deeper. SSO is not just about reducing logins. It’s about streamlining identity, about turning chaos into clarity.

So, what is SSO? What is single sign-on? It’s the idea that authentication should be unified. You prove your identity once, securely, and gain access to multiple systems. Think of it as a backstage pass. Instead of knocking at every door, you’re granted a badge. That badge, cryptographically signed and verified, opens every room you’re authorized to enter.

How Does SSO Work? – A Unified Login Solution Explained

The Core Components Behind SSO

To understand how SSO works, imagine an office building. You enter through the main door and show your ID at reception. After that, you walk freely between departments. That’s the idea behind SSO integration.

Step-by-Step SSO Authentication Flow

Here is a step-by-step overview of the SSO authentication process:

  • The user requests access to a protected application.
  • The application redirects the user to an identity provider.
  • The identity provider checks for an active authentication session.
  • If none exists, the user is prompted to enter credentials.
  • After verification, the identity provider issues a secure token.
  • The token returns to the application, which validates it and grants access.

This process happens almost instantly. Technologies like SAML, OAuth, and OpenID Connect make sure identity information moves safely and reliably. These protocols build the trust that modern systems depend on.

If you’re considering how to approach SSO implementation, the answer lies in building trust between systems, leveraging token-based communication, and ensuring encrypted interactions between identity and service providers.

Common SSO Protocols

The widely adopted protocols supporting SSO include

  • SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language): Common in enterprise environments.
  • OAuth: Designed for authorizing third-party access without sharing passwords.
  • OpenID Connect: Built on OAuth for richer identity information and enhanced user experience.

Why Do Enterprises Need SSO Today?

Increased Productivity Through Reduced Login Fatigue

Imagine an employee who needs to check Salesforce, Zoom, Jira, and Notion – all before their first coffee. Without SSO, that’s four logins. With it, just one. That’s time saved. Focus preserved. And that mental energy is redirected toward work that matters.

Improved Security (No Password Reuse, Better Authentication)

Having many passwords often leads to poor security. Users tend to reuse passwords, write them down, or choose weak ones. With SSO, there is only one password to protect. And it’s easier to remember one strong password than multiple weak ones.

Better It Efficiency (Centralized Control And Fewer Reset Requests)

Ask any IT admin what the most common ticket is. Password resets. SSO drastically reduces these. With SSO integration, access becomes a switchboard. IT can turn permissions on or off, audit usage, and streamline offboarding – all from a central dashboard.

Support For Hybrid/Remote Workforces

Whether an employee logs in from the office, their home, or a café, SSO applications deliver a consistent experience. That’s the power of centralized identity. Location no longer dictates access. Trust does.

Single Sign-On (SSO) Applications & Examples

Consider this single sign-on example: a new hire joins your company. On day one, they sign in with their corporate credentials. Instantly, they’re in Gmail, Slack, Trello, and the company wiki. They don’t need to ping IT. They don’t need setup guides. They just start.

That’s the magic of SSO. It’s invisible when it works. And indispensable once adopted. Here are some more examples…

Finance: One Login, Instant Access

A junior analyst walks into the office on day one. She logs in with Akku SSO. Instantly, she’s inside the trading platform, the reporting dashboard, and the compliance portal. No waiting. No IT calls. In a business where milliseconds cost millions, this isn’t convenience – it’s strategy.

Healthcare: Saving Time to Save Lives

A doctor moves between patients, tablets in hand. With a single sign-on, she pulls up scans, lab results, and schedules without breaking stride. Akku SSO makes it seamless. The fewer seconds spent logging in, the more time she has to do what matters – care for people.

IT: Build and Deploy Faster

An engineer flips between Jira, GitHub, and AWS. With Akku SSO, it’s one login for everything. No sticky notes, no reset links. Workflows. Security holds. Akku doesn’t just streamline – it gives IT what it always wanted: control without compromise.

Akku SSO: Enterprise-Grade Access Control Made Simple

For enterprises navigating the complexities of modern identity, Akku delivers more than just a login solution. It provides a strategic advantage. As one of the leading SSO providers, Akku offers a single sign-on service built for both scale and simplicity.

Whether you’re starting fresh or integrating into a legacy system, Akku’s SSO implementation tools make the transition seamless. Its platform works across cloud and on-premise environments, giving IT teams control and users freedom.

If you’re ready to simplify access and strengthen security, Akku is the SSO application partner you’ve been looking for.

Enterprise-Grade Security Starts Here – Try Akku SSO/IDP for Smarter Access Control.

Catch up on the latest trends and updates by exploring our informative and engaging blog section.

Increased security often means reduced efficiency. Here are 4 ways an IAM can boost productivity while staying secure.

Identity Access Management (IAM) is a collective term that covers processes and policies to manage user identities and regulate user access within an organization. It works on the principle of zero trust.

While security is critical, adding too many security measures also hampers productivity. So, as an organization, you need to find that fine balance between security and productivity, while keeping pace with digital transformation.

How does an IAM solution help you with that balance? Here are four important ways that an IAM increases productivity.

1. IAM offers efficient and easy access

IAM eliminates tedious and repetitive tasks, including logging in to multiple applications every day. The single sign-on feature of IAM is an employee’s single-point access to several applications.

Once users create their single sign-on (SSO) credentials, they’ll no longer have to waste time logging in over and over, saving time and ensuring a seamless work experience regardless of device or domain. That means fewer times that you need to log on and off; fewer passwords to recall; most important, stronger passwords that follow company-specific password policies can easily be set.

2. IAM results in simplified admin and IT processes

Single sign-on reduces IT help desk escalations and centralizes admin tasks like password updates and resets, which means there is no longer a need to manage access and authorizations in-house, or scramble to secure new applications that enter the cloud environment.

IAM tools manage all user identities and access permissions across internal systems, employee devices, and cloud-based technologies through one easy-to-use system. This means faster, more efficient provisioning and de-provisioning with fewer errors; automation of managing user identities and related access permissions, which saves time and money otherwise required to manually manage them; and greater compliance with government regulations and prepping audit-ready reports and stats.

Akku also has two additional features which not every IAM offers, which make IT administration much easier: seamless integration with Active Directory and other applications, and easy dissemination of messages and circulars through the SSO login page.

3. IAM offers better security

IAM security features are designed to enhance productivity. The multifactor authentication (MFA) feature, for instance, provides an extra layer of security while allowing employees to seamlessly transition between approved devices.

MFA requires the user to authenticate login with two or more types of identification before gaining access, offering flexibility and secure access anywhere, any time.

The right IAM also makes it easy to blacklist or whitelist access within and outside the firewall, on company-owned devices. The user therefore does not need to worry about whether or not he or she is permitted to visit a particular website. Efficiency is thus almost a guarantee.

4. IAM results in improved focus

Using an IAM means reduced distractions for your users. Employees can leverage the Internet for learning and growth, but the right IAM automates authorizations by setting rules that define user requirements and limit access to unsanctioned applications.

Specifically with Akku, you can go a step further and whitelist appropriate channels and video categories on YouTube. This means that users can still view relevant content on YouTube, without losing focus and being distracted by irrelevant videos.

Akku also allows you to block personal email and only allow professional email, even if they are accessed by the same email client.

Akku delivers a powerful cloud Single Sign-on (SSO) solution that can be integrated easily with almost any cloud or in-house application, making user provisioning, management, access control, and de-provisioning seamless. Opt for a more productive experience with Akku today. Do reach out to us and let’s get started together.

A malicious user gaining access to your apps can be catastrophic. Here’s how a secure SSO could help.

In any enterprise, it is a given that employees will come and go, and many will switch roles within the organization as well. At the same time, the same is true for the applications that the company uses – new apps will be deployed, old ones will be retired, and changes are constant.

What this means is a continuous churn – in identity management for users, and service providers, by means of the SaaS applications in use. Ensuring data and app security across the organization depends heavily on ensuring secure communication between your identity provider and service providers.

Deploying a robust Single Sign-On (SSO) solution represents the best answer to this challenge. An SSO allows an enterprise to manage the identities of employees in one place, and delegate access and privileges from there.

Most SaaS providers support SSO integration as it is the most efficient route to centralized identity and access management. The SSO authentication method also enables users to securely access multiple apps and websites with a single set of credentials, which reduces issues like password fatigue, which boosts security, lowers IT help desk load, and increases organizational efficiency.

How SSO works

To get your SSO in place, you need to find the right identity provider. The identity provider is essentially a service that securely stores and manages digital identities. An SSO works based on a trust relationship between the app and the identity provider.

Organizations establish a trust relationship between an identity provider and their service providers to allow their employees or users to then connect with the resources they need. Such a trust relationship is established by exchanging digital certificates and metadata. The certificate carries secure tokens which contain identity information like email address and password, to authenticate that the request has come from a trusted source and to verify identity. 

Although SSO can work with as many apps as the organization wants, each must be configured with a unique trust relationship.

How the Service Provider-Identity Provider relationship works

Once an identity provider is onboarded, every time a user tries to connect to a service provider, the sign-in request is sent to the central server where the identity provider is hosted. The identity provider validates the credentials and sends back a token. If their identity cannot be verified, the user will be prompted to log into the SSO or verify credentials using other methods like a TOTP. Once the identity provider validates the credentials it sends the user a token.

The token confirming the successful authentication is validated by the service provider against the certificate initially configured and shared between service provider and identity provider, after which the user can access the application.

The identity provider verifies the user credentials and sends back an ‘authentication token’ (almost like a temporary ID card) to the service provider. And, of course, all this happens in a fraction of a second.

Advantages of using SSO

  • Simplifies credentials management for users and admin
  • Improves speed of app access
  • Reduces time spent by IT support on recovering passwords
  • Offers central control of password complexity and MFA
  • Simplifies provisioning and de-provisioning
  • Secures the system as information moves encrypted across the network
  • Completely seamless/transparent to the user
  • Easy to add on new service providers

Akku is a powerful identity and access management solution that can enhance data security, efficiency, and productivity across your corporate network through its robust SSO feature. If you would like assistance on ensuring secure access for all your users to your organization’s applications, do get in touch with us.

Is dependence on AD holding back your provisioning & deprovisioning?

Active Directory is quite simply the most popular identity management solution for enterprises in the world. An incredible ~90% of the Global Fortune 1000 companies use Active Directory as their primary method of authentication! 

Does your organization, like so many others, manage user identity with Active Directory (AD) too? If so, we’re guessing you have probably run into trouble with provisioning and deprovisioning for users across your environment. AD is great for identity management, but it was never built to act as a single sign-on (SSO) platform.

Challenges with AD for Provisioning & Deprovisioning

What this means is that either provisioning and deprovisioning would need to be performed for each application and user individually, or else, for Active Directory to be used to control access and permissions, each application would need to be integrated with AD separately. 

With the average enterprise running 1295 cloud-based applications, both these options seem like pretty poor choices. The former option is a tremendous drain on productivity for both admins and users, while the latter presents a host of complexities and costs to integrate AD with each of your apps.

IAM to the rescue!

So how do you get over these challenges? The answer lies in deploying an Identity & Access Management (IAM) solution that includes single sign-on (SSO) functionality.

Essentially, the IAM would act as an intermediate layer between your AD and your applications. So the IAM solution would need to integrate with Active Directory on the one side, and with all of your organization’s applications on the other. 

Through integration with your applications, the IAM can bring them all onto a single common platform and act as the Identity Provider (IdP) across your environment. Since most modern IAM solutions use SAML-based integrations with applications, these integrations are far less complex and expensive to implement than directly integrating AD to each application.

And secondly, integrating the IAM with AD would allow you to continue to manage identity – and now access permissions too – on AD itself.

Benefits of an IAM integrated with AD

At the end of this process, you would be able to control identity and access across your environment on Active Directory, giving you a familiar interface and process with enhanced functionality. 

Single-point control for your admins, and single-point access for your users, mean simple, fast provisioning and deprovisioning for IT and HR teams, saving them a tremendous amount of time and effort. 

Not to mention easy access to all permitted applications for users, helping to make them more productive too.

Akku is a powerful Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution by CloudNow that is built to play well with Active Directory, and also to integrate seamlessly with virtually any of your business applications. Call us today to see how Akku could enhance productivity and security at your organization!