We believe that the best data security solutions are those the user does not need to think about.
When technology works in the background, people can focus on people. A caregiver can attend to a patient, a customer service representative to a customer, a production worker to manufacturing and quality assurance, a logistics professional to deliveries, and a public official to serving citizens.
The purpose of data security is not to slow down work. Its purpose is to enable secure, seamless, and uninterrupted work.
Single sign-on and enterprise single sign-on
Data security should not slow down work
The role of information technology is to support people’s work—not to divert their attention away from it.
In healthcare, a doctor and nurse should be able to focus on the patient. In production, a worker should focus on manufacturing and quality. In logistics, on the efficient movement of goods. In public administration, on serving citizens.
Yet the working day is often interrupted by constant logins, remembering passwords, and using systems. The employee’s attention shifts from the customer to the computer.
Well-implemented single sign-on (SSO) and enterprise single sign-on (eSSO) change the situation. When a user is securely authenticated once, the systems handle logins on their behalf. Work speeds up, the user experience improves, and at the same time the organization’s data security is strengthened.
In the best working environment, the user does not need to think about information technology—they can focus on where their expertise creates the most value.
Good usability makes data security better
Data security and usability have long been thought to be in conflict with each other. The more logins, passwords, and authentications required, the more secure the environment has been believed to be.
In practice, the outcome is often the opposite.
When secure working is slow or complex, users begin to look for shortcuts. Passwords are written down, the same passwords are used in multiple systems, workstations are left unlocked, or shared credentials become part of everyday life.
This is not about users’ indifference, but about the fact that getting work done is perceived as more important than using information technology.
That is why the best data security solutions do not increase the user’s workload. They reduce it.
When the secure way of working is also the easiest way to do the job, users naturally act correctly. In this case, good usability does not weaken data security—it strengthens it.
What are single sign-on (SSO) and enterprise single sign-on (eSSO)?
Single Sign-on (SSO)
Single sign-on (SSO) enables access to multiple compatible applications with a single authentication.
The user logs in once at the start of the working day and can then use all applications permitted to them without new logins. SSO is particularly suited to modern cloud services and applications utilizing standardized authentication solutions.
Enterprise Single Sign-on (eSSO)
Enterprise single sign-on extends the same user experience to all applications used by the organization.
It enables secure single sign-on also to
- Windows applications
- browser-based services
- Citrix and VDI environments
- legacy systems
- industry-specific specialized applications
For example, Imprivata’s eSSO solution’s intelligent profiling engine recognizes application login windows and automates logins even to systems that were never designed to support modern SSO. This allows even old business-critical applications to be brought into a secure and unified user experience.
What are the benefits for the user?
The user should not spend their working day logging into a computer.
They should spend it doing their work.
Single sign-on enables
- one secure login at the start of the working day
- automatic logins to applications needed for work
- fewer passwords to remember
- quick workstation changes
- fewer work interruptions
- more time for attending to customers, patients, and work tasks
Technology works unobtrusively in the background.
What are the benefits for the organization?
When each employee’s working day speeds up slightly, the impact is quickly visible at the organizational level.
Benefits are seen, for example, in
- improved productivity
- more efficient work processes
- smoother customer service
- better employee experience
- lower support service costs
- stronger data security
- easier compliance
At the same time, an investment in data security becomes an investment in work efficiency.
What are the benefits for IT and administration?
When login works almost unnoticed for the user, IT’s work also becomes easier.
Benefits include, for example
- fewer password resets
- fewer login problems
- centralized user authentication management
- unified user experience across different applications
- better visibility into logins
- easier auditing
IT can focus on service development instead of spending time resolving routine login problems.
How do SSO and eSSO improve usability?
Good usability means that the user’s work is not interrupted because of information technology.
Single sign-on enables
- quick authentication
- automatic logins
- seamless transition from one application to another
- quick workstation changes
- less waiting
- more time for doing work
At best, the user does not even think about using a login solution.
How do SSO and eSSO improve data security?
Data security improves when the user does not need to make compromises between their work and security.
Single sign-on reduces the need to
- use the same passwords in different systems
- write passwords down
- share user credentials
- leave workstations open
- circumvent the organization’s data security policies
At the same time, the organization can utilize
- multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- passwordless authentication
- centralized access rights management
- automatic workstation locking
- comprehensive logging and auditing
- risk-based access control
Good data security does not arise from making the user’s work more difficult. It arises from the fact that the secure way of working is also the easiest way of working.
Shared workstations and mobile devices—the best example of combining usability and data security
The greatest benefits are achieved in environments where the same workstation or mobile device is used by multiple people during a work shift.
For example:
- wellbeing services counties
- hospitals
- industry
- production
- logistics
- retail
- government organizations
In these environments, every extra login takes time away from actual work.
eSSO enables quick authentication, for example, with an access card, RFID tag, biometric identifier, or other strong authentication. The workstation opens in a few seconds, the user’s applications are immediately available, and work continues seamlessly. When the user leaves, the session locks automatically and the next user gets their own work environment without the previous user’s information remaining visible.
The results are:
- more time for serving customers, patients, and production
- faster workflows
- secure shared use
- fewer devices
- better user experience
- stronger data protection
- improved security
- comprehensive auditing capability
It is precisely in shared-use environments that it is most concretely evident that data security does not need to slow down work. When implemented correctly, it makes work both more secure and smoother.
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