Secure access is one of the essential elements of cybersecurity for businesses large and small. Everything is effectively simplified by a single sign-on system.

Single sign-on, or single sign-on (SSO), is a great solution when you want to combine security with work productivity. By using one of the secure tools, you have a fairly successful bulwark against unwanted visitors. And at the same time, employees don’t have to click some login and enter (unreliable) passwords “hundreds of times” throughout the day.

SSO systems work for both Microsoft and Apple ecosystems. And you can even combine them.

What is SSO and why to implement it in your company

Single sign-on (SSO) is an authentication tool that allows your employees to securely access the various applications and services they need with a single set of login credentials.

It has a number of advantages:

  • High level of security. With a single login required, the risk of password leakage is significantly reduced. This makes SSO one of the most secure authentication methods.
  • Easier management of user accounts. Users have a single account that gives them access to all integrated applications. This makes management easier and clearer for your IT manager or outsourced IT company.
  • A more pleasant user experience. Employees will be happy too. They don’t have to re-enter login credentials to use the app, which increases their convenience.
  • Increased productivity. And at the same time, quick access to applications and services also increases productivity and workflow. Each login, however quick, requires some time that employees could otherwise use for the task itself instead of waiting to be logged in. With SSO, the work thread is not broken and not a single important idea is lost. It also makes it easier to engage new employees.
  • Cost savings. You’ll save on the cost of supporting and managing passwords and user accounts, but also on dealing with potential cyber-attacks and loss of important data thanks to improved security.
  • Fulfilling the letter of the law. SSO will also help you meet the requirements of cybersecurity legislation and standards. Resolving and centralizing access rights management is one of the common requirements. Secure accesses will also be required by the forthcoming Cybersecurity Act under the European NIS Directive2.

Microsoft Entra ID

A secure cloud-based tool for managing identities and access using single sign-on principles is, for example, Microsoft’s SSO Entra ID.

It is a renamed and enhanced Azure Active Directory tool that is now even more secure and effective in terms of using artificial intelligence (both on the attacker and defense side).

It enables:

  • Authentication, single sign-on and access to applications
  • user and group management and hybrid identity
  • multi-factor authentication and conditional access
  • identity management
  • self-service features for end users
  • and other features according to the selected roadmap

SSO Entra for Apple

A separate case in point is the combination of the two most powerful manufacturers of equipment and software for business use, namely Microsoft and Apple. Both competitors are making efforts to collaborate in select areas, and data and user security is one of them.

Therefore, even if your employees are working with equipment from Apple, they can enjoy both Microsoft 365 and the benefits of Microsoft’s secure single sign-on.

Simply transfer their usernames and passwords from Microsoft Entra IDs to Apple IDs within a managed group. They can then easily log in to their work Mac, iPhone, iPad, and even Apple Vision Pro. The credentials also work to log in to iCloud on the web.

If this connection is the solution for you, get in touch. As Microsoft and Apple partners, we can deliver and integrate Apple technology and devices into businesses, including secure login and MDM. Quickly, seamlessly and expertly.