BLOG ARTICLE

10 Dec 2024
8 minutes read

SSO: Enhancing security and efficiencies for modern businesses

As cyberattacks increase, businesses are focusing on effective strategies to improve their security. One approach gaining widespread adoption is Single Sign-On (SSO), which enhances protection by strengthening user authentication processes.

Organizations face challenges such as rising cyberthreats, decreased productivity, and user frustration because of complex login systems. As these issues grow, the resulting downtime and complications worsen the situation.

In 2024, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommended SSO as an effective solution to boost efficiency, streamline system access, and enhance cybersecurity for businesses of all sizes.

In 2023, 70% of organizations said SSO improved user experience.

The demand for SSO keeps growing; in 2024, it was reported that 55% of businesses use SSO, with the market expected to reach $10.8 billion by 2031, an increase of over $6 billion from 2023.

More companies are moving away from traditional password-based systems, which are vulnerable to risks such as breaches (which are detectable with the correct solution). With the growth of cloud services and remote work, SSO has become essential for modern businesses committed to protecting their data. Find out how SSO can transform your organization’s approach to cybersecurity and user experience.

SSO: Definition & basics

What is SSO?

SSO allows users to access multiple systems and applications using a single set of login credentials. For example, signing into Gmail allows access to YouTube and Google Workspace without requiring a separate login for each.

How does SSO work?

When a user logs into an application, it sends them to the SSO system, called the Identity Provider (IdP), to verify their identity. Users authenticate themselves using credentials like a username and password or biometrics.

If the credentials are correct, the IdP creates a secure token, which is sent back to the application to confirm the user’s identity. That token allows access to other connected apps without additional logins as long as the session remains active.

Common protocols & standards

Security Access Markup Language (SAML): A protocol that redirects users to the IdP for verification, then sends a confirmation message back to the application, allowing users to log in.
Open Authorization 2.0 (OAuth 2.0): An authorization framework that lets users allow applications access to their data using tokens without having to share passwords.
OpenID Connect (OIDC): Enhances OAuth 2.0 by adding an authentication step that confirms identification with an ID token.
Kerberos: Microsoft’s preferred authentication protocol as of 2023 uses a digital ticket to prove identification, allowing users to access services without multiple logins.

Importance of SSO

With businesses using an average of 371 applications in 2023, managing multiple credentials can become a productivity and security challenge. Here’s what your business can expect after implementing SSO.

Advantages of SSO

Boosted productivity: Employees log in once to access tools, saving time and improving efficiency with a more modern solution.
Improved security: SSO strengthens overall security by centralizing authentication and minimizing entry points for attackers – as users don’t have to maintain multiple logins to access different tools.
Enhanced user experience: SSO makes logging in effortless, allowing users to access multiple applications with a single click. In 2023, at 88%, almost all organizations that implemented SSO reported satisfaction with it.

Risk reduction of SSO

Employee frustration: Without SSO, employees often experience password fatigue (last year, it was reported that the average person manages 168 passwords) and frequent logins, which can lower morale and increase mistakes.
Streamlined offboarding: SSO simplifies employee offboarding. Removing a user from the IdP removes their access to company tools.
Compliance challenges: Inefficient authentication and access controls can make it harder to enforce consistent security measures, complicating compliance with regulatory requirements.
Wasted resources: Failing to implement SSO leaves businesses vulnerable to cyberattacks, which can be costly - the global average cost of a data breach was $4.88 million in 2024. SSO is a cost-effective, proactive solution that safeguards your business and protects your bottom line.

But, 52% of businesses that used SSO during 2023 discovered that it wasn’t enough on its own. For added protection, consider pairing it with cybersecurity solutions like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC).

Is SSO right for your organization?

To determine if SSO is right for your business, consider the following:

If you answered “yes” to any of these, your business’s cybersecurity will benefit from SSO. By centralizing logins, you lower the risk of weak or reused passwords, which is the top cause of account compromises in the U.S., making up 35% of cases as of 2024.

What are the risks of not implementing SSO?

Without SSO, businesses face multiple risks that can affect security, productivity, and user experience. Below are some challenges your organization will see if SSO is not implemented.

Increased human error

Without centralized authentication, there’s a higher risk of employees mismanaging passwords, potentially leaving access points vulnerable. In a survey from 2023, 59% of Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) said human error is the largest cybersecurity threat to their organization.

Enhanced user resistance

A complex login process can make employees reluctant to use key tools, which lowers adoption rates and harms productivity

Shadow IT threats

Employees frustrated by managing multiple logins might turn to unauthorized tools or platforms for convenience – in 2023, 96% of employees said they weren’t satisfied with the tools their companies provided. This introduces vulnerabilities and non-compliance risks.

Sendmarc SSO integrations

With Sendmarc’s SSO integration, managing access to the Sendmarc Portal is straightforward. You can use your existing SSO provider, which simplifies the management of multiple logins. Here’s a look at the SSO integrations that Sendmarc offers:

Okta

Sendmarc integrates with Okta for centralized sign-ins and access control, allowing for seamless use across various applications.

Google Workspace

With Google Workspace, users can log in using their Google accounts, ensuring a secure and convenient experience.

Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 is ideal for teams utilizing Teams, Outlook, and other Microsoft services.

Enhance your business’s cybersecurity

With cyberthreats on the rise, sticking to outdated login systems just isn’t cutting it anymore. Integrating with SSO providers like Okta, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365 allows for quick and secure logins – so your team can focus on what really matters.

But SSO isn’t the whole story. To really protect your business, you need a well-rounded approach. Ev Kontsevoy, CEO at Teleport, stated in June, “SSO does offer considerable convenience, but unauthorized access to one individual’s credentials exposes every platform and service for which that individual has privileges. Without additional defense in place, SSO by itself does not thwart identity-based attacks.”

That’s why your company should complement SSO with other cybersecurity measures to reduce the risk of threats such as social engineering and phishing. DMARC can enhance protection and easily integrate with SSO. There are many ways to protect your business against cyberthreats, and it’s worth finding solutions that work together.

That’s where Sendmarc steps in to help fill some of the gaps and give you an even stronger defense. Learn how Sendmarc can enhance your company’s email security.