Single Sign-On: How to Prevent Data Exfoliation Using It?

Digitalization is a prevalent theme in the modern work environment. With most companies storing their data on the cloud as well as on-premise. Due to the need to log in to a diversity of accounts while at work. Employees are often troubled by the challenge of using and having to remember more than one password for all the accounts. Sadly, having that many passwords increase the threat surface through which hackers can gain access to some of your most priced data.

To make remembering these passwords easier, most employees will either use easy-to-remember passwords or even use the same password across multiple accounts. In fact, 80% of employees between the age of 18 and 30 tend to reuse their passwords. Instead of exposing yourself to the risk of data exfiltration once hackers gain access to the passwords of such employees, why not embrace using single sign-on security solutions?

Here is some more information about single sign-on solutions to prevent data exfoliation and the benefits that they have in store for your organization.

What Are Single Sign-On Tools?

Single sign-on tools are security tools that help to make the task of logging in to the different applications owned by an organization easier. Employees will only require using a single password to access a group of trusted accounts. Essentially, you will need to work with an identity provider to introduce an authentication server from which trusted applications could confirm the login details of your employees.

At the first sign on, the user will key in their login details which will be confirmed on the centralized authentication server. They will then begin their single sign-on session where they can access multiple apps simultaneously.  All of them can be controlled by your active directory reporting tools. In case the user needs to access any other application that belongs to the trusted group. The Single sign-on tool will authenticate them, and they will not need to sign in again.

Why Single Sign-On Matters

Humans are wired to look for the simplest route to mitigate any hurdle. In the case of having multiple applications to log in to. Employees might use simple passwords that can easily be hacked or simply write down every password. Additionally, the conventional login methods need to either forward passwords or simply store them on the user’s devices which aren’t always secure.

Single sign-on solutions improve the experience that employees have when switching between company applications. The fact that it utilizes tokens for authentication instead of relying on the security of the user’s devices boosts security, especially in organizations that have embraced BYOD policies. It also eliminates the high cost that comes tied to having to continuously reset user passwords. The time used in tweaking these passwords can instead be used to cater to other intensive business tasks.

The Downside

Just like every other security solution, using single sign-on doesn’t fail to have a few downsides. In case hackers gain access to the account of one of your employees. They will get to enjoy the benefits that the tool provides. This means that they can access the different applications without having to sign in once more. In situations where they access accounts with superior privileges. They can adjust the various aspects of your applications and wreak untold havoc.

How to Counter This

It is never enough to rely on single sign-on tools for optimal security. You will need to beef up security with proper employee training. Since they are the most vulnerable point of data exfoliation. Not only will they need to learn about setting strong passwords but also need to understand the essence of protecting corporate data. With employees as a security front, it will become easier to steer away from hackers easily gaining access to these accounts.

Conclusion

Security and user experience should never be at loggerheads in case you are looking to build a secure workplace. However, this doesn’t mean that you should be lenient when it comes to imposing strong security policies. Train employees effectively when looking to use single sign-on solutions to avoid any security loopholes.