SSO
Abbreviation · Security & Infosec
Definitions
Single Sign-On -- an authentication scheme where one login grants access to multiple related applications without re-authenticating. Implemented via SAML, OpenID Connect, or proprietary protocols (Active Directory). Reduces password fatigue and improves security (one strong identity provider instead of many weak passwords). 'SSO tax' is the controversial practice of charging extra for SSO support.
In plain English: Logging in once to access multiple applications, instead of remembering separate passwords for each one.
Example: "SSO with our corporate Okta account -- employees sign in once and get access to GitHub, Slack, Jira, and AWS without separate passwords."
Related Terms
- Wallet
- OAuth 2.0 Flow
- JWT Claims
- Passkey
- Biometric Authentication
- Challenge-Response
- Device Fingerprinting
- Domain Hijacking
- JSON Web Signature
- Kerberos
- Mutual Authentication
- OTP Bypass
- Out-of-Band Authentication
- PIN
- Zero Trust Architecture
- Zero Trust Network Access
- OIDC
- Keycloak
- 802.1X
- Authentication Factor
- Authentication Protocol
- Cloud IAM
- Cross-Forest Attack
- Digital Identity
- Domain Trust
- Enrollment
- Identity Governance
- LDAP
- Password Recovery
- Password Reset
- Privileged Identity
- RADIUS
- Relay Attack