Published: August 23, 2024

Our new bulletin Cyber Threat Watch has been created to help small businesses stay up to date on the latest threats, news, and events affecting their business. The content has been curated to make cybersecurity easy and accessible for both technical and nontechnical readers.

Implementing robust security measures is essential to protect sensitive data and streamline user access. Single Sign-On (SSO) has emerged as one of the effective solutions, offering a seamless and secure way to manage multiple application logins with one set of credentials. Recently, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Department of Homeland Security has highlighted the importance of strong authentication methods. As a vital tool aiming to enhance the cybersecurity posture, it is essential for businesses to understand its benefits and potential drawbacks.

What Is SSO?

When users log into one application, they are automatically signed into others—SSO allows them to authenticate once and gain access to multiple applications. During the SSO setup, the application (service provider) communicates with an identity provider to authenticate the user. Once authenticated, the user gains access to all linked applications without needing to log in again.

Pros & Cons of Implementing SSO

The implementation of SSO comes with the following benefits and potential drawbacks that businesses need to be aware of.

Pros:

• Simplified Password Management: Users need to remember only one set of credentials. SSO can reduce password fatigue and the likelihood of password-related security breaches.
• Enhanced Security: By centralizing authentication, SSO allows for better monitoring and control over user access. The addition of multi-factor authentication (MFA) can further strengthen security.
• Improved User Experience: SSO streamlines access to multiple applications. As a result, it enhances user productivity and satisfaction.
• Reduced IT Workload: IT personnel can spend less time on password resets, managing user access more efficiently.

Cons:

• Single Point of Failure: If the SSO system is compromised, it can grant cyber attackers access to multiple applications.
• Complex Implementation: Setting up and configuring SSO can be resource-intensive and require significant effort from IT personnel.
• Cost: The initial SSO setup and ongoing maintenance can be expensive, particularly for small businesses with a limited budget for IT management.
• Limited Scope: SSO is primarily effective for web applications and may not cover other resources like servers, VPNs, or network devices.

Why Is SSO Still Recommended Despite the Cons?

Despite the challenges, the CISA recommends SSO for small businesses because the benefits of its use outweigh the potential drawbacks—the streamlined user experience, enhanced security, and reduced IT workload make SSO a valuable investment. Accordingly, businesses should consider its implementation by first analyzing their needs such as the number of users, applications, and security requirements. Such an assessment would help determine the most suitable SSO solution, considering the following.

• Affordable Options: Look for cost-effective solutions such as cloud-based options that are affordable and easier to implement. These options don’t require extensive infrastructure or hardware investments.
• Feature Comparison: Compare the features and compatibility of different SSO solutions that are available from various vendors, while ensuring integration with existing infrastructure and applications.
• Pilot Projects: Conduct pilot projects with a small group of users to test the solution’s effectiveness. This allows for making necessary adjustments and minimizing risks before a full rollout.
• Staff Training: Train staff and provide clear guidelines for password management and security practices to ensure that they are well-prepared to use the new system appropriately.
• Continuous Monitoring: Regularly monitor the SSO solution to uphold the overall cybersecurity posture. This monitoring can be done by using built-in tools provided by the SSO provider, enabling the tracking of login activities, detection of unusual behavior, and response to potential threats.

Conclusion

SSO is a powerful tool that simplifies user authentication and enhances security. By understanding the functionality of SSO as well as its pros and cons, businesses can make informed decisions about implementing this technology. Despite the potential challenges, the benefits of SSO make it a recommended solution for improving security and user experience. In summary, SSO is a strategic investment that can help small businesses protect their systems and streamline operations. 

The NCSS encourages businesses to adopt comprehensive security practices and stay informed about evolving technology trends. We recommend you consider becoming an NCSS member to access a wide range of our services. For more information, visit our Small Business page.

References

https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/why-smbs-dont-deploy-single-sign-sso

https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/barriers-single-sign-sso-adoption-small-and-medium-sized-businesses-identifying-challenges-and

https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/Barriers-to-SSO-Adoption-for-SMB-508c.pdf

https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2024-06/Barriers-to-SSO-Adoption-for-SMB-Flyer-508c.pdf

https://www.ninjaone.com/blog/sso-software-pricing-costs/

https://ninjaauth.com/advantages-disadvantages-single-sign-on-solutions

https://500apps.com/sso-protocols

https://www.uschamber.com/co/run/technology/what-is-single-sign-on

https://www.zoho.com/blog/directory/the-importance-of-sso-for-small-and-medium-sized-businesses-smbs.html

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity/enterprise-apps/plan-sso-deployment

https://www.linkedin.com/advice/1/how-can-you-easily-deploy-maintain-sso-implementation-rl4zf

About the NCSS

The National Cybersecurity Society (NCSS) is committed to improving the online safety and security of the small business community through education, awareness, and advocacy. As a 501(3)(c) organization, the NCSS uses funds from charitable donations and grants to develop educational materials, webinars, weekly cyber tips, videos, and how-to-guides. The organization’s goal is to enable and empower small and medium businesses to obtain cybersecurity services, assist them in understanding their cyber risk, and advise on the type of protection needed. We want to continue to grow our community and encourage you to tell other small businesses we are here to help.

The NCSS is committed to respecting the use of images in our communication efforts. Accordingly, unless otherwise specifically noted, the graphics in our bulletin are sourced under license from Adobe Stock. The header and footer images were designed and purchased through a contract with Eyedea Advertising & Design Studio.