What is SSO - Single Sign On?

SSO is a user access and session authentication service that allows users to use a single set of login credentials (e.g., name and password) to access multiple applications. 

It often improves user productivity for employees as all the applications they need to perform their job function reside in a single portal and can be accessed with a single password. In addition, fewer user passwords in circulation also reduces the burden on IT help desks created when users forget their passwords. However, SSO can create some additional security considerations because if a hacker can compromise the password of a user, they gain access to all that user's applications. This is why more advanced forms of authentication need to be integrated to complement SSO.