What is Single Sign-on (SSO)?

Single Sign-on (SSO) is an authentication process that allows users to access multiple applications or services with a single set of credentials. Instead of logging in to each service separately, users authenticate just once, gaining access to all connected systems. This makes SSO a convenient and secure solution, particularly for businesses managing numerous SaaS applications.

Google SSO

Google SSO, also referred to as Sign in with Google, is a type of SSO that uses your Google credential as the identity provider. There are many types of SSO like this, including from Apple, GitHub, Salesforce, and more.

How Does SSO Work?

SSO operates by creating a trust relationship between an Identity Provider (IdP) and various Service Providers (SPs) or applications. When a user logs in through the IdP, an authentication token is issued and shared with the SPs, granting the user access without the need for additional logins.

SSO typically uses standards like SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language), OAuth, or OpenID Connect to establish these trusted connections.

Benefits of SSO

• Enhanced Security: Reduces the number of passwords users need to remember, lowering the chances of weak passwords or reuse, thus minimizing security risks.

• Improved User Experience: Users log in once and access everything they need, leading to less frustration and increased productivity.

• Centralized Authentication: By having one place to manage authentication, IT can enforce stronger security policies, provide faster onboarding, and enhance compliance efforts.

What's the Difference Between Traditional SSO Players and Google-Type SSO?

There are significant differences between traditional SSO providers like JumpCloud and Google SSO types. The key distinction is the ability to enforce SSO for users.

With traditional SSO providers using protocols like SAML and OIDC, enforcing SSO is typically the default behavior. This means users must authenticate through the SSO mechanism, ensuring better security and preventing access via other login methods.

However, with Google SSO, also known as 'Sign in with Google,' simply enabling SSO is not enough to enforce its use exclusively. Users may still access accounts using their regular username and password, as well as the Google SSO option. This leaves the user account more vulnerable because the enforcement of SSO-only access is not guaranteed, allowing multiple access pathways, including traditional password-based login.

Is SSO Right for Your Business?

If your employees regularly access multiple SaaS tools or platforms, implementing SSO can greatly improve both user convenience and security. The average startup already has 20+ SaaS tools, and that number only multiplies as the business grows. Businesses that get ahead and adopt SSO early are more secure and avoid the pain of migrating all their SaaS tools to SSO later, which requires much more time and effort. Small businesses benefit from simplified user management, while larger organizations can enhance security at scale.

How ShiftControl Can Help

ShiftControl integrates seamlessly with leading Identity Providers, making SSO setup straightforward for small and medium-sized businesses. Our solution is designed to provide a balance of robust security and simple management, reducing friction in both IT administration and user access.