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BackWhat is Single sign-on (SSO)?
Single sign-on (SSO) is an authentication method that lets a user sign in once through a trusted identity provider and access multiple approved applications without separate logins.
In sso cyber security, SSO reduces password sprawl, centralizes access control, and gives IT teams one place to enforce MFA, session rules, and user provisioning.
How does it work?
A user requests an application, and the app redirects the user to an Identity Provider. The IdP verifies the user with passwords, MFA, biometrics, or device-based checks, then sends a signed token or assertion back to the application.
The application validates that message, creates a session, and grants access based on assigned roles. Common standards include SAML and OpenID Connect.
| SSO component | Security role |
| Identity Provider | Authenticates users and issues trusted login claims. |
| Service provider | Relies on the IdP to grant application access. |
| Session token | Maintains access for a defined period and can expire or be revoked. |
Single sign-on vs federated identity
Single sign-on is the user experience: one successful login unlocks several connected apps. Federated identity is the trust framework that lets separate domains, cloud services, or partners accept identity information from a shared IdP.
Most enterprise SSO uses federation, but they are not identical. SSO describes the outcome, while federation describes how identity and access management systems exchange trust.
How Hexnode supports single sign-on
Hexnode supports single sign-on initiatives by linking endpoint visibility with access decisions. With Hexnode UEM and Hexnode IdP, IT teams can check device compliance, apply policies, manage users, control apps, and support conditional access workflows across managed endpoints.
This matters when sso cyber security depends on both identity and device posture. Hexnode helps teams make access decisions more consistent by connecting user authentication with endpoint compliance signals.
When should organizations use it?
Organizations should use SSO when employees rely on many SaaS, cloud, and internal applications. It is especially useful for remote work, regulated environments, merger integrations, and teams that need faster onboarding or offboarding.
SSO is not a replacement for strong security controls. Use sso cyber security with MFA, short session lifetimes, least privilege access, logging, and fallback admin access for outages.
FAQs
Not always. Some deployments still use a password at the IdP, while passwordless SSO may use passkeys, certificates, or managed device trust.
Yes. A stolen account can reach multiple apps, so organizations should use MFA, device compliance, risk-based policies, and session revocation.
Confirm app compatibility, user groups, MFA rules, recovery access, audit logging, and offboarding workflows before moving critical applications behind SSO.