Single sign-on (SSO)

SSO makes data systems more usable. It does this by making it unnecessary to enter usernames and passwords. Single sign-on can be integrated into almost any software and service. Besides improving usability and giving smooth access, SSO also strengthens data security: users do not need to write down passwords to remember those or use group credentials on shared devices.

Strong single sign-on

SSO becomes a strong authentication method when it is combined with multi-factor authentication or a smart card. One way of keeping SSO useful is requiring strong authentication, for example in the first sign-on of a shift, at fixed intervals, when signing onto a certain service or a certain workstation.

Example of SSO use in healthcare

Independent studies in hospitals have shown that healthcare staff save 25–37 minutes per shift by using SSO. The staff can access patient data as soon as they need to. Doctors and nurses can focus on their patients instead of IT, which is proven to reduce stress and increase comfort at work.

SSO achieves fast sign-on and sign-off of data systems, but it also provides flexible changes of user on all devices: mobile, tablet, terminal devices, including shared ones.