Why is SSO not sufficient for managing all applications?
SSO can leave many applications unmanaged due to its inability to secure certain apps, often because of cost or integration issues. Many SaaS vendors charge significantly more for SSO capabilities, leading to what is known as the 'SSO tax.' This can make it impractical for companies, especially smaller ones, to secure every application behind SSO. As a result, organizations may only lock down their most critical applications while relying on supplementary solutions for others.
How does SSO handle user access?
SSO does not manage access for every user effectively. External partners or contractors often cannot be easily added to SSO due to domain restrictions, and superadmin accounts can bypass SSO, which poses security risks. Additionally, legacy user accounts created before SSO implementation may not be governed by SSO policies, leading to unmanaged access to sensitive data.
What are the security risks associated with SSO?
Relying solely on SSO can create several security vulnerabilities. For instance, SSO tokens can be stolen through various attacks, and personal devices accessing corporate applications may not meet security standards. Moreover, SSO does not provide visibility into shadow IT or AI tools, which can lead to data breaches. In fact, 35% of breaches involve unauthorized applications, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to identity security.