What is SSO?

Single Sign-On, or SSO, is a login system that allows you to access multiple programs or websites using just one set of credentials—usually a single username and password. It connects the different services you use so that once you're logged in, you can move between them without needing to enter your login details again. This approach is commonly used in workplaces, schools, and large organisations to make access to digital tools easier and faster.

Without SSO, you’d have to log in separately to your email, file storage, HR system, learning platform, and any other online tools you use. Each one might have a different password, or worse, you might reuse the same one across several services, which is a major security risk. SSO solves this by letting you sign in once, usually through a secure portal or your computer, and then automatically connecting you to everything else. This saves time and reduces the frustration of forgotten passwords or repeated logins.

SSO also significantly improves security. One of the biggest risks in digital security is weak or reused passwords. Because users don’t have to juggle multiple passwords, they’re more likely to choose a strong, unique one for their main SSO login. That single login can be protected with extra layers like multi-factor authentication (MFA), which adds steps like entering a one-time code from your phone. This combination makes it much harder for hackers to break in, even if they guess or steal your password.