Unforeseen crises like the COVID-19 pandemic has shown just how ruthless cybercriminals can get. They can carry out their attacks with tactical precision, taking full advantage of the fact that businesses are distracted and vulnerable. Single Sign On and Multifactor Authentication are a must have.

If you are among those businesses who are still relying on username-password authentication, you are particularly at risk. And you can’t afford the headache of stolen data and compromised systems, especially at this time when you need to focus your resources on rebooting your business post-coronavirus.

Two of the most robust authentication options available for businesses today are single sign-on (SSO) and multifactor authentication (MFA). Each is a formidable and user-friendly authentication method—but used together?

The SSO + MFA authentication combo is cybersecurity on steroids—except practically free of side effects. 

Single Sign-On

Single sign-on is an authentication strategy that allows users to execute a master sign-on to authenticate themselves at the start of their work shift. Afterward, the SSO solution logs them in to any of the related software systems they need to use for their work.

Single master password

A single master password may seem to run counter to the premise of increased data security, but on closer look, having just one password actually makes it easy for users to come up with a very strong password instead of the numerous easy-to-crack ones that employees resort to in an effort to avoid forgetting them. Other than that, multiple passwords, regardless of the security measures in place, widens the area of attack for cybercriminals.

Preventing shadow IT


SSO suppresses the use and management of IT applications and infrastructure without the knowledge of the IT department of an enterprise (shadow IT). This is even more crucial now that shadow IT is increasing security risks with the growing popularity of cloud-based downloads.

Easy adoption of new software

SSO speeds up logging in to new product or service apps, allowing customers to seamlessly embrace new technology and app offered by your company.   

What to watch out for: SSO systems can get seriously compromised and become unavailable if a hacker, malicious actor, or malware gets SSO access.

Your security move: Deploy SSO with strong encryption and authentication methods to maximize protection against attacks.

Multifactor Authentication

This authentication scheme is the more generous version of 2-factor authentication. It starts at 3 factors and goes as far as 4. This identity verification essentially employs either three or all these factors:  

  • Knowledge (something you know): PIN, username and password, security question  
  • Possession (something you have): token, USB key, magic link, or card  
  • Inherence (something you are): biometrics—e.g., fingerprint, voice, palm veins, complex iris/retina patterns, behavior pattern, etc.  
  • Location (someplace you are): actual physical location determined through GPS tracking 

The username-password combination can still be integrated into the highly secure MFA strategy. 

SSO + MFA

Combined, single sign-on and multifactor authentication offers these major benefits:

1. Convenience and enhanced security

  • SSO and MFA unburden users of the daunting task of having to remember numerous passwords for numerous accounts, as is pretty much standard for most of today’s work setups. 
  • SSO reduces cybercriminals’ area of attack and makes it easier to implement increased security measures on multiple services at once. MFA backs up SSO with layers of authentication for staff and management throughout applications and systems.
  • SSO improves user experience for online customers through convenient log-in. MFA ensures secure online transactions through multilayered authentication.

2. Higher employee productivity

Employees who are relieved of password fatigue are able to focus on their jobs better. Gone is headache of forgotten passwords and password resets.

Quicker access to systems with a single log-in credential allows employees to start their workdays sooner.

Not only that, IT departments will also be more productive, thanks to the marked decrease, if not complete absence, of password reset requests.

3. Increased revenue 

SSO improves user experience and allows customers quick access to a business’s multiple applications with just one log-in credential, and therefore quick access to a product or a service. MFA ensures secure online transactions. Together they help ensure in customer satisfaction and loyalty, which eventually translates to revenue.



Crank up your cybersecurity with a winning combo of enterprise-level solutions Single Sign On and Multifactor Authentication.

Talk to TraitWare today!