There’s a misconception in the business world that federated identity management and single server sign-on are the same — but they’re not. Here, you can discover the differences between the two and which is better for your organization.
What is Federated Identity Management (FIM)?
FIM is a system that allows employees to use the same verification method to access all of their business accounts. Whether your business uses 10 or 100 different applications, federated id makes life so much easier for employees, as they no longer have to go through the process of remembering (and typing) separate login details for different accounts.
What is Single Server Sign-On?
Similarly, a single server sign-on system is an authentication system that allows employees to log into different accounts using a single ID, for example, Microsoft 365 and Amazon Web Services. Again, this prevents employees from having to use different account names and passwords across the apps that your business uses.
FIM vs SSO: Which is Better for Your Business?
It doesn’t matter whether your business is office-based or fully remote — it’s highly recommended you use either FIM or SSO.
The main difference between FIM and SSO is this: with FIM, employees don’t apply their login credentials directly to the apps or web applications. Instead, they apply them only to the FIM system itself, which is faster and more convenient.
Therefore, if you’re a business that requires employees to have lots of accounts across a variety of different platforms, the best choice is to go with an FIM system. Here’s a closer look at some of the main benefits that come with federated identity:
- Faster sign-ins without having to re-enter passwords
- Stronger cybersecurity
- Increased productivity
- Smoother onboarding
- Less time wasted (as employees will no longer forget their passwords)
Where to Get a Federated Identity Management Solution
FIM is a huge trend right now. As a result, thousands of businesses are transitioning to FIM solutions every single month — and you can do the same, too. Simply compare the different FIM solutions online and choose the system that suits your budget the most. Remember, price plans can vary, so take your time to compare the different prices. Usually, what happens is that you pay per user per month. For example, an FIM solution might cost you $5 a month per user. If you have 100 employees, this would come to $500 a month.
The cost of FIM is more than worth it due to the benefits that you get in return. If you’re a business that’s currently in the process of growing (and is going to be onboarding hundreds of employees in the near future), then now is the time to use federated identity management. Otherwise, you’re going to make daily operations much harder than they need to be for your employees. Not to mention, the risk of cyberattacks will be significantly higher due to employees having different account names and passwords that they need to remember.
