Simplifying App Logins With Single Sign On Solutions

Our lives are complicated, in part, because we have multiple digital tools on multiple devices, each typically with its own password requirements. The solution for most of us is to use the same password across multiple devices. This poses a problem particularly for IT administrators that are tasked with improving cybersecurity. On the flip side, having multiple passwords is not only hard to keep track of, it also results in a lot of password resets and frustration for the end-user.

Microsoft is aware of both of these issues and has created a single sign-on authentication option under Azure Active Directory that simplifies the login process without compromising security.

Single Sign-On Solutions with Azure Active Directory

Microsoft single sign-on solutions with Azure AD means that the end-user has just one login for any of their applications. The benefits of single sign-on for the administrator is that they can quickly decommission access to corporate data when there is just one login per user with no worries that they’ve missed something important. It also eliminates some of the risks from users applying the same passwords across multiple applications.

Microsoft Azure AD supports three types of sign-on methods:

• Federated single sign-on authentication
  This process allows applications to automatically redirect to Azure Active Directory for authentication instead of having each app prompt for its own password.
• Password-based single sign-on authentication
  This allows secure storage of the sign on password without the end-user knowing the password; the administrator has full control of credentials and access.
• Existing single sign-on authentication
  This process lets Azure AD access application passwords in a link to Office 365 or Azure Active Directory. Users can be assigned access to specific apps and they don’t have to enter app-specific passwords.

The Azure Application Gallery has a list of tools that support Microsoft single sign-on solutions. There is also the option for direct sign-on to federated applications.

Benefits of Single Sign-On Azure AD

There are some very clear benefits of single sign-on for users, corporate administrators, and the corporation itself:

• It saves both the user and IT teams time while improving the user experience. Users can be automatically and securely logged in from any registered device.
• The tool includes web and SaaS applications.
• Access to applications can be controlled by the employee’s status or by a group.
• It provides administrators centralized management of user access, which translates to increased security controls and less risk of a cybersecurity breach.

Conclusions – Single Sign-On Tools

Microsoft understands that it’s not practical for users to remember dozens of different passwords, nor is it safe for them to use the same login credentials for multiple services. Single sign-on keeps data secure without impacting productivity. Contact Red River for more information on how Azure Active Directory can positively impact your organization.