What is the difference between IdP and SSO?

Identity Providers (IdPs) are systems that manage and store user profiles. They provide a way for users to authenticate across various applications. Single Sign-On (SSO) is a feature often provided by IdPs, allowing users to access multiple applications with a single set of credentials. Essentially, IdP is the system that handles user identities, while SSO is a functionality that simplifies user access to multiple apps.

What is the difference between federated identity and managed identity?

Federated identity allows users to use the same identity across different organizations or domains, relying on mutual trust between entities. Managed identity, on the other hand, is controlled and handled within a single organization, where the organization manages and maintains all user credentials and access.

What is the difference between single sign-on and SAML?

Single Sign-On (SSO) is a general concept that allows users to log in once and gain access to multiple applications without re-authenticating. Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is a specific protocol used to implement SSO, facilitating the exchange of authentication and authorization data between parties. While SSO is the overall idea, SAML is one of the technologies used to achieve it.

Identity Access Management

Single Sign-on vs Federated Identity Management

Instasafe

Sep 2, 2024 • 4 min read

Single Sign-on vs Federated Identity Management

Accessing different computer systems and online services has become an everyday part of our lives. Organisations need to make sure that the people using their systems are who they say they are, and that they only have access to the things they're allowed to see. This helps prevent unauthorised access, data breaches, and other security issues.

It can also make things more convenient for the people using the systems. Two common ways to manage all of this are called single sign-on (SSO) and federated identity management (FIM). Let's take a closer look at how they work and how they're different.

What is Single Sign-On (SSO)?

SSO is a way of letting people access multiple computer programs or online services using just one set of login credentials. Normally, people have to remember and enter different login information for each account or system they use. But with SSO, they only have to log in once, using one set of credentials.

Here's How SSO Works:

There's a central system that verifies the person's identity when they log in.
Once the person's identity is verified, the central system shares that information with the other programs or services the person wants to use.
The person can then access applications or resources without having to log in again.

This makes it a lot easier for people to get their work done, since they don't have to waste time remembering and typing in different logins. It also helps improve security, because the organisation can set stronger password policies and keep better track of who is accessing what.

Common Use Cases of SSO include:

Accessing different cloud-based services, like email and file storage
Logging into various programs used within a company
Signing in to consumer-focused websites and apps

What is Federated Identity Management (FIM)?

FIM is a bit different from SSO. With FIM, the login credentials and permissions of users are shared between different organisations. This allows people to use the same login to access resources and services from multiple organisations, even if those organisations don't directly manage the user's account.

Here's How FIM Works:

Two or more organisations agree to trust each other and share user information in a secure way.
When a person tries to access a service from one of the organisations, their login request is sent to a central identity provider.
The identity provider verifies the person's identity and sends that information back to the organisation they're trying to access.
The person can then use the service without having to log in again.

The main benefit of FIM is that it makes it easier for people to work with multiple organisations. Instead of having to remember separate logins for each one, they can use a single set of credentials.

It also helps organisations work together more effectively since they can share information about who should have access to what.

Single Sign-On vs Federated Identity Management

While SSO and FIM share some similarities, there are significant differences between the two approaches:

Authentication and Authorisation

SSO uses a centralised authentication system to verify user identities and share that authentication across different applications.
FIM allows for the sharing of user credentials across different organisations, requiring the establishment of trust relationships between the organisations.

Scope and Scale

SSO is mostly used within the same company or network.
For more complicated trust ties between different organisations, FIM is often used for cross-organizational identity management.

Security Considerations

SSO can improve security by centralising authentication and monitoring usage.
FIM could bring extra risks over the distribution of user credentials amongst many companies.

Implementation and Integration

Technical implementation of both SSO and FIM may be difficult and requires careful design and consideration of elements like scalability, compatibility, and support of many authentication techniques.

Choosing the Right Approach

Businesses need to think about their own needs and circumstances when comparing FIM vs SSO. SSO might be better if all they need to do is give their workers or customers a simple, easy way to log in. FIM could be the best choice, though, if they need to share user information and work closely with other groups.

You should carefully think about things like the amount of cooperation needed, the security needs, and the technical difficulty. Organisations can pick the best identity management option for them by taking the time to learn about the pros and cons of each method.

Conclusion

Effective identity management is crucial in our modern, technology-driven world. Both single sign-on and federated identity management offer powerful ways to simplify user access and improve security.

By understanding the differences between these two approaches, organisations can pick the one that best fits their needs and helps them navigate today’s digital landscape.

At InstaSafe, we believe your security should be as dynamic as your business. That’s why we offer an SSO feature on our security solutions that allows one-click access to multiple applications through a single dashboard.

Moreover, our Multi-Factor Authentication solution goes beyond static passwords, giving you the agile protection you need to stay ahead of evolving threats.

FAQs

What is the difference between IdP and SSO?

Identity Providers (IdPs) are systems that keep track of users and make profiles for them. Users can use a single account to sign in to various apps with Single Sign-On (SSO). The IdP is the big system, and SSO is a special feature that an IdP will often offer.

What is the difference between federated identity and managed identity?

With federated identity, people can use the same identity in more than one organisation or area. Managed identity means that one company is in charge of and handles all of its users' names.

Federated identity happens when different organisations trust each other, while managed identity is when an organisation only trusts itself.

What is the difference between single sign-on and SAML?

Single Sign-On, or SSO, lets people log in to multiple apps with a single account. Security Assertion Markup Language, or SAML, is a system that is used to make SSO work. The idea of SSO is more general, and SAML is one among multiple technology ways to make SSO work.