What is the primary purpose of Single Sign-on (SSO) Authentication?

The primary purpose of Single Sign-on (SSO) Authentication is to enable users to access multiple applications using a single set of credentials, specifically one username and one password. This approach enhances user convenience by significantly reducing the number of login credentials a user must remember and manage. With SSO, after a user logs in once, they can seamlessly access various applications without needing to log in separately for each one. This not only simplifies the user experience but also enhances security by reducing the risk of password fatigue, which often leads to weaker password practices.

By acting as a centralized authentication point, SSO also allows administrators to manage access rights and authentication more efficiently. This centralized management is beneficial for both users and IT departments, as it can streamline user provisioning and deprovisioning processes across multiple services. Furthermore, SSO can improve compliance and security posture by enabling stronger authentication mechanisms that apply consistently across all connected applications.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of SSO. Using separate usernames for each application or requiring multiple passwords defeats the purpose of SSO, which aims at consolidating access to enhance usability and security. Connecting users to one application at a time also does not reflect the multi-application access feature that defines SSO.