Compromised passwords are responsible for at least 81% of hacking breaches. Managing all of your account information is a frustrating but essential step in ensuring your online security.
There are several types of password management systems, but a single sign-on solution is one of the best. It creates a unique password that provides quick, secure access to all of your accounts.
Read our guide to learn all you need to know about this effective solution. You’ll find the answers to questions like what is single sign-on and what benefits can it provide?
What Is Password Management?
37% of computer users have more than 20 personal passwords, and 19% use more than 10 passwords in their daily lives. This is a lot to remember without an effective solution to help you.
Password management is a set of guidelines you use to keep your passwords secure. They apply from the moment you create the password to the day you discontinue it.
Examples of basic password management strategies include not sharing your password and using alphanumeric characters. Sticky notes are another example; in fact, 42% of organizations use them as the primary method.
A password manager uses software to keep your passwords safe. Different types include browser-based, portable, desktop-based, and cloud-based.
Browser-based password managers use internet applications to secure your passwords. They’re easy to use but are the least secure. Portable password managers are used for devices like smartphones.
Desktop-based password managers store all your passwords locally on your device. Cloud-based password management systems store your passwords in a cloud database, allowing you to access them from anywhere.
The best password management software includes additional features such as:
- Biometrics
- Fingerprint usage
- Photo-login
- Pin codes
Single sign-on access is also a type of feature. Look for it in any password management software you’re considering.
What Is Single Sign-On?
SSO or single sign-on is a powerful password authentication process. It lets you access multiple applications with one set of login credentials.
SSO applications use what they already know about their users to recognize who’s logging in. They use cookies in your browser to check IP addresses, remember passwords, and utilize authentication domains.
SSO solutions deny access to anyone attempting to log in from an unrecognized IP address. This helps keep your accounts secure by preventing unauthorized access.
Why Should I Use Single Sign-On?
Only 50% of businesses offer a single sign-on solution for their employees.
They may not recognize all the features that make SSO systems one of the best forms of password management. These advantages include improved security, customization, easy access, improved efficiency and productivity, and reduced help desk issues.
Improved Security
At least 50% of computer users have the same password for all of their accounts. This puts them at high risk of a security breach.
Hackers use scripts to guess usernames and passwords every 39 seconds. This stolen information is part of 81% of personal hacking incidents, and 81% of company data breaches are the result of poor passwords.
It may seem that a single sign-on solution is making the same mistake by using the same password for all of your accounts, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
What it actually does is create a single complex password instead of several identical or simple ones. This is a major benefit when you consider that a 12-character password takes 62 trillion times longer to crack than a six-character password.
Customization
SSO also lets you customize your level of security. You can create whatever password you need and make it as complex as you like. Employees don’t even have to know it because IT team members can handle registrations.
SSO solutions can be used on custom web apps by adding its domain to the program’s API. It’s a customizable solution for any business or account.
You can also use multi-factor authentication as part of your single sign-on solution. It uses 3 different security formats to protect your information.
Physical security safeguards include physical tokens like employee cards. Logical and knowledge-based security methods include passwords and PINs. Biometric security uses fingerprints, retinal scans, and/or voice recognition.
Multi-factor authentication is perfect for locations such as nuclear power plants or government facilities that contain extremely sensitive data. It’s a great way to provide the highest level of protection but is also optional so that you don’t have to spend the extra time and money on it if you don’t need to.
Easy Access
75% of Americans are frustrated with passwords, and over 50% want an alternative solution for their online security. Until that day comes, SSO solutions are one of the best ways to reduce this frustration by preventing lockouts and allowing for easy access.
Single sign-on for employees gives them quick, secure access to their accounts. SSO for clients provides them with access to multiple resources from a local area network or LAN.
Improved Efficiency and Productivity
Single sign-on is the fastest, most efficient way to log onto all of your accounts. Your employees can spend less time trying to remember passwords and more time doing their work. This means a major increase in productivity.
Help Desk Savings
At least 50% of all help desk calls involve passwords. Fixing the issues they bring up can cost up to $70. They’re a time-consuming and financially draining problem area for most businesses.
A single sign-on solution makes it faster and easier for clients and customers to access their accounts, making them less likely to call your help desk when they’re logged out. It also means fewer password issues within your organization.
Where Can I Find the Best Single Sign-On Solution?
Most computer users feed their account information to hackers by using easy-to-guess, repeated passwords. An effective password management system is the best way to fight back.
Single sign-on solutions create a single complex password. This allows employees and clients to access all their accounts with fewer headaches and increased efficiency.
Understanding what single sign-on is and the benefits it provides is the first step. The next is to find the right provider to purchase these effective solutions from.
LogMeOnce can help you access your personal and commercial accounts. Check out our password manager today.