What Is Single Sign-on (SSO)? How It Works

ByteByteGo
17 Nov 202204:54

TLDRSingle Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication method that allows users to access multiple applications and services with one set of credentials. It operates on the federated identity concept, sharing identity data across trusted systems. Two primary protocols, SAML and OpenID Connect, facilitate this process. SAML uses XML-based assertions, while OpenID Connect employs JWT for identity sharing. SSO enhances user experience by eliminating repetitive logins and is suitable for both new applications and enterprises using commercial identity platforms.

Takeaways

  • 🔐 SSO (Single Sign-On) is an authentication scheme that allows users to access multiple applications and services with a single set of credentials.
  • 📋 When integrated with apps like Gmail, Workday, or Slack, SSO provides a unified login experience through pop-up widgets or login pages.
  • 🚪 SSO simplifies the login process by eliminating the need for users to log in to each application individually, enhancing user experience and productivity.
  • 🔄 The concept of federated identity underpins SSO, enabling the secure sharing of identity information across different but trusted systems.
  • 📜 Two primary protocols support SSO: SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) and OpenID Connect, both designed for secure identity information exchange.
  • 🏢 SAML is an XML-based open standard widely used in work environments, facilitating identity information exchange between services.
  • 🔐 OpenID Connect, commonly utilized for personal account integrations like Google, uses JWT (JSON Web Token) to securely share identity information.
  • 🛠 In a SAML SSO login flow, the Service Provider detects the user's domain, prompts for authentication, and validates the SAML assertion to grant access.
  • 🔄 For subsequent SSO-integrated applications, the user is not re-prompted for credentials, as the Identity Provider generates assertions specific to each service.
  • 🤝 The choice between SAML and OpenID Connect depends on the application's requirements and the ease of integration with the chosen protocol.
  • 📚 For new web applications, integrating with popular OpenID Connect platforms such as Google, Facebook, and Github is often recommended.

Q & A

  • What is Single Sign-On (SSO)?

    -Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication scheme that allows users to securely access multiple applications and services using a single set of login credentials.

  • How does SSO improve user experience?

    -SSO enhances user experience by allowing users to access multiple applications without having to log in each time, thus reducing the need to remember multiple credentials.

  • What is the concept behind SSO?

    -SSO is built on the concept of federated identity, which enables the sharing of identity information across trusted but independent systems.

  • What are the two common protocols used in SSO?

    -The two common protocols used in SSO are Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) and OpenID Connect.

  • What is SAML and how is it used in SSO?

    -SAML is an XML-based open standard for exchanging identity information between services. It is commonly used in the work environment and involves the use of a cryptographically-signed XML document known as a SAML assertion.

  • How does the SAML authentication process work?

    -In the SAML process, a user is redirected from a Service Provider to the Identity Provider, where they enter their credentials. Once authenticated, a SAML assertion is generated and sent back to the Service Provider, which then grants access to the protected resource.

  • What is OpenID Connect and how does it differ from SAML?

    -OpenID Connect is a protocol that uses JSON Web Tokens (JWT) instead of signed XML documents like SAML. It is similar to SAML in concept but differs in the method of exchanging identity information.

  • Which SSO method should be used and why?

    -The choice between SAML and OpenID Connect depends on the application being integrated and which protocol is easier to integrate with. For new web applications, integrating with popular OpenID Connect platforms like Google, Facebook, and Github is often recommended.

  • What are some examples of commercial identity providers?

    -Some common examples of commercial identity providers include Okta, Auth0, and OneLogin.

  • How does SSO handle access to multiple integrated applications?

    -When a user navigates to another SSO-integrated application, the browser redirects the user to the Identity Provider. If already logged in, it generates an assertion for the new application, detailing the user's access rights.

  • What is the significance of public key cryptography in SSO?

    -Public key cryptography is used in SSO to validate the authenticity of the SAML assertion or JWT. The Service Provider uses the public key to confirm that the assertion was signed by the trusted Identity Provider.

Outlines

00:00

🔐 Introduction to Single Sign-On (SSO)

This paragraph introduces Single Sign-On (SSO) as an authentication scheme that allows users to access multiple applications and services securely with a single set of credentials. It explains the concept of federated identity and mentions two common protocols used in SSO: SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) and OpenID Connect. The paragraph also outlines a typical SSO login flow using SAML, highlighting the roles of Service Providers, Identity Providers, and the process of generating and validating SAML assertions.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Single Sign-On (SSO)

Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication method that allows users to access multiple applications and services with a single set of login credentials. This is particularly useful for users who need to navigate through various platforms, as it eliminates the need to repeatedly log in to each service individually. In the context of the video, SSO is shown to streamline the login process for applications like Gmail, Workday, and Slack, enhancing user experience and efficiency.

💡Authentication

Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user or system. In the context of SSO, authentication is crucial as it ensures that the user attempting to access multiple services is indeed who they claim to be. The video describes SSO as an authentication scheme that uses a single ID for secure access, highlighting the importance of secure authentication mechanisms in managing user access to various applications.

💡Federated Identity

Federated Identity is a system that allows the sharing of identity information across multiple, trusted yet independent systems. This concept is central to SSO, as it enables different applications and services to recognize and trust the identity information provided by a central authority. The video explains that SSO is based on this concept, allowing users to log in once and gain access to multiple services without having to re-authenticate each time.

💡SAML

SAML, or Security Assertion Markup Language, is an XML-based open standard for exchanging identity information between services. It is widely used in enterprise environments for SSO implementations. The video describes SAML as a common protocol for SSO, detailing how it facilitates the exchange of user authentication information between the identity provider and service providers like Gmail or Workday.

💡OpenID Connect

OpenID Connect is a protocol for authentication that is based on OAuth 2.0 and uses JSON Web Tokens (JWT) to share identity information. Unlike SAML, which uses XML documents, OpenID Connect uses JWT, a signed JSON document, making it more lightweight and easier to implement in some cases. The video mentions OpenID Connect as an alternative to SAML, highlighting its use in popular services like Google and its suitability for new web applications.

💡Identity Provider

An Identity Provider is a system that creates, maintains, and manages the electronic identities of users. In the context of SSO, the Identity Provider is responsible for authenticating the user's credentials and providing a SAML assertion or JWT to the Service Provider, which then grants access to the requested resources. The video mentions commercial identity providers like Okta, Auth0, and OneLogin as examples of entities that serve as Identity Providers in SSO implementations.

💡Service Provider

A Service Provider is an application or system that provides a service to users and requires them to authenticate their identity. In the context of SSO, Service Providers like Gmail or Workday rely on the Identity Provider to authenticate users and receive SAML assertions or JWTs to grant access to their services. The video explains that Service Providers validate the assertions or tokens received from the Identity Provider to ensure secure access for the user.

💡JSON Web Token (JWT)

JSON Web Token (JWT) is a compact, URL-safe means of representing claims to be transferred between two parties. JWTs can be signed and/or encrypted, providing a way for information to be verified and trusted. In the context of the video, JWTs are used by OpenID Connect as a means of securely sharing identity information between the Identity Provider and Service Providers, replacing the need for signed XML documents as in SAML.

💡Public Key Cryptography

Public key cryptography, also known as asymmetric cryptography, is a cryptographic system that uses a pair of keys to encrypt and decrypt messages: a public key and a private key. In the context of SSO, public key cryptography is used to validate the authenticity of SAML assertions or JWTs. The video mentions that Service Providers use public key cryptography to confirm that the SAML assertion was signed by the Identity Provider, ensuring the security of the authentication process.

💡Login Flow

Login flow refers to the sequence of steps a user goes through to access a system or application by providing their credentials. In the context of SSO, the login flow is optimized to allow users to log in once and gain access to multiple integrated applications without the need to repeat the login process for each one. The video provides a walkthrough of a typical SSO login flow, illustrating how a user's initial login leads to access to various services like Gmail and Workday.

💡Integration

Integration, in the context of SSO, refers to the process of connecting different applications and services to a central authentication system. This allows for seamless user access across multiple platforms using a single set of login credentials. The video discusses the integration of SSO with various applications and the decision between using SAML or OpenID Connect based on the ease of integration with the application being connected.

Highlights

SSO, or Single Sign-On, is an authentication scheme that allows users to access multiple applications and services with a single ID.

With SSO integrated apps like Gmail, Workday, or Slack, users interact with a pop-up widget or login page for credentials, streamlining the login process.

SSO eliminates the need for repeated logins, enhancing user experience by allowing access to many apps with one set of credentials.

The concept of federated identity is central to SSO, enabling the sharing of identity information across different but trusted systems.

SAML, or Security Assertion Markup Language, is an XML-based standard for exchanging identity information, commonly used in work environments.

OpenID Connect is another protocol used for SSO, familiar to many from its use in signing into applications like YouTube with a Google account.

OpenID Connect utilizes JWT, or JSON Web Token, a signed JSON document, to share identity information between services.

In a typical SSO login flow using SAML, a user访问 an application and is redirected to their company's Identity Provider for authentication.

Once authenticated, the Identity Provider issues a SAML assertion, a signed XML document detailing user access rights.

The service provider validates the SAML assertion and grants access to the user based on the permissions outlined in the assertion.

When navigating to another SSO-integrated app, the user is not re-prompted for login if already authenticated, enhancing efficiency.

Both SAML and OpenID Connect are secure SSO methods, with the choice often depending on the application and ease of integration.

Enterprise environments often use commercial identity platforms that support both SAML and OpenID Connect for identity management.

For new web applications, integrating with popular OpenID Connect platforms like Google, Facebook, and Github is recommended.

The decision to use SAML or OpenID Connect should consider the specific needs and context of the application and the user environment.

SSO solutions offer a balance between security and convenience, making them an attractive option for modern application access management.

Understanding the nuances of SSO protocols like SAML and OpenID Connect is crucial for effective system design and security.

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