In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, small businesses face numerous challenges when it comes to managing user access to various applications and systems. A single sign on for small business is unlike the traditional methods of authentication, such as separate usernames and passwords for each platform, can be cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to security risks. That’s where Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions for small businesses comes in.
Single Sign-On is a powerful authentication solution that enables small businesses to simplify and centralize user access across multiple applications, platforms, and services. With SSO, employees and stakeholders can log in once using a single set of credentials and gain seamless access to all authorized resources.
This technology not only enhances convenience and productivity but also strengthens security measures by reducing the risks associated with weak passwords, password reuse, and unauthorized access. By implementing SSO, small businesses can effectively mitigate the complexities of managing multiple logins and bolster their overall operational efficiency.
As you move your small or midsize enterprise into the cloud, you will face new challenges around identity management. Historically, identity management was an operational issue that managed user logins to desktops and local area networks. As you move to the cloud, the network is no longer local. Your network includes the suite of applications and services run and hosted by others. Identity management is now a security issue that should control access to your cloud applications, data, and services as well as your computers and mobile devices.
Single Sign On for Small Business
Even with the proliferation of usernames and passwords, most small businesses are not investing in Single Sign On (SSO). With many applications using federated or 0Auth login services from platforms like Google Apps or Office 365, SMBs expect users to adapt and manage their identities. The result is a mix of usernames, passwords, and connections without a clear system of record and no centralized management. And while Single Sign On can help eliminate this mess, most SMBs struggle to justify the value. In addition, single sign on solutions for small businesses lack the ability to manage access to devices, WiFi services, and other resources.
With SSO in place, you still need to manage and maintain a directory service. Directory services, such as Microsoft’s Active Directory and the many LDAP solutions are, in theory, capable of managing more than on-premise systems. Actually integrating directory services, however, is complex, costly, and requires regular maintenance.
Directory-as-a-Service and Identity Management
Directory-as-a-Service® (DaaS) is a modern identity platform that centrally manages user connections to this new world of cloud and SaaS-based infrastructure.
Compared to a single sign on for small businesses, it acts as a virtual directory, enabling businesses to securely manage user accounts, permissions, and policies across diverse applications, systems, and even remote environments.
Identity Management, on the other hand, refers to the processes, technologies, and policies that govern the lifecycle of user identities within an organization. It encompasses activities such as user provisioning, authentication, access control, and user lifecycle management. By implementing Identity Management practices and leveraging DaaS, businesses can streamline user administration, improve security, and enhance operational efficiency.
Features of a cloud-based directory service include:
- Mac, Windows, and Linux devices are all treated as first-class citizens
- Tight integration with Office 365 and Google cloud Apps, centralizing control over the productivity platform and enabling single sign-on capabilities for end users
- Single Sign On integration with other cloud applications and services
- Improved WiFi security that connects the authentication request to the directory service
- Multi-factor authentication at the system level
- Hosted LDAP capabilities can eliminate the need to have an on-prem LDAP server
In short, Directory-as-a-Service covers what contemporary organizations need in a modern identity management platform.
Learn more about Directory-as-a-Service and JumpCloud (our preferred DaaS solution), or contact us for a free, no obligation Cloud Advisor Session.
Active Directory was designed for on-premise local and enterprise networks. As the use of cloud continues to move forward, Active Directory has not adapted as quickly as needed to provided robust, unified, identity management. Here are three (3) reasons to consider replacing (or augmenting) Active Directory.