Single Sign-On is a term which describes an enterprise-wide identity management system.

In a Single Sign-On system, each user has one username and one password for all of the systems, devices, and applications to which she has access.

The two methods utilized by Single Sign-On systems to do this are:

  • Password synchronization – The Single Sign-On system copies the username and password configuration to each system
  • Centralized account management – Each system is configured to query a central database for user authentication and authorization

Single Sign-On systems have the promise of saving IT organizations significant resources in terms of lost user time and reduced password resets. In addition, Single Sign-On systems can significantly increase the security of an IT environment.

Single Sign-On is often abbreviated SSO.