SSC Overview and Functionality

SSC - Summary

• SSC stands for Single Sign-On/Sign-in.
• It's a security mechanism that allows a user to access multiple applications/services using a single set of credentials.
• This reduces the need to remember and manage multiple usernames and passwords.
• SSC simplifies the login process for users and strengthens security for applications by centralizing user authentication and authorization.

Key functionalities

• Centralized Authentication: A central authentication server manages user accounts and credentials, verifying user identities before granting access to various applications.
• Single Sign-On (SSO): Users log in once to a central SSC portal and then gain access to multiple applications/services. The system automatically authenticates them to these connected applications.
• Authorization and Access Control: SSC verifies user permissions and rights to specific resources within the applications. This ensures that users only access authorized data and functionalities.
• User Management: A central point for managing user accounts, roles, and access rights across all integrated applications.
• Session Management: SSC maintains user sessions and tracks access across different applications to manage user authentication and access.

Types of SSC

• Federated SSC: This model enables an organization to share authentication and authorization information with external entities (like other companies, partners). This often uses standards like SAML or OpenID Connect to facilitate interaction with different systems.
• Non-Federated SSC: Typically employed within a single organization where all applications are integrated and managed by the same infrastructure. Doesn't rely on external systems for authentication.

Benefits of SSC

• Increased User Productivity: Streamlined access reduces the time spent on logging in, improving user experience.
• Improved User Experience: Users only need remembering one set of credentials.
• Enhanced Security: Single point of control for security administration, simplifying security management tasks.
• Cost Savings: Fewer usernames and passwords equate to less administrative overhead.
• Centralized Management: Easier to manage and update user profiles, roles and rights across the enterprise. This is a huge benefit for identity management and security administration.

Implementation Considerations

• Infrastructure Requirements: Setting up and maintaining a central authentication server requires specific infrastructure and potentially additional security measures.
• Integration with Existing Applications: Integrating various applications into the SSC system might involve significant development efforts and potential compatibility issues with existing software systems.
• Security Measures: Implementing a secure and robust SSC system demands careful planning for security measures to maintain the integrity of user data and prevent unauthorized access.
• Support and Maintenance: A well-planned support and maintenance strategy is critical for ongoing smooth operation and security updates.

Standards and Protocols

• SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language): A widely used standard for federated SSC, enabling secure authentication and authorization among different applications.
• OpenID Connect: Another prominent standard for SSO, offering lightweight authentication and authorization mechanisms.
• OAuth (Open Authorization): Primarily used for authorization and access to specific resources within an application but is sometimes utilized in conjunction with SSC.

SSC use cases

• Single sign-on to a company's web applications, including internal portals and external sites.
• Access to multiple cloud services and applications from a single login.
• Secure gateway to numerous enterprise systems.
• Access control and authorization within an enterprise network.