What is Single sign-on (SSO)?

Signing in once to reach many applications.

In plain English

With SSO a central identity provider checks who you are and then vouches for you to each connected application, so you do not keep a separate password for each one. It improves convenience and lets an organisation enforce strong sign-in rules, such as multi-factor authentication, in one place. It also means that account must be protected well.

Example

Signing in to your work account in the morning and then opening email, the calendar and the HR system without being asked for a password again.

Easy to confuse with

• OAuth: SSO is about signing a person in. OAuth is about letting an application access something on a person’s behalf.

Where you will meet it

This idea belongs to the subject area of these practice tests. We do not publish or predict real exam questions.

• ISC2 CC practice tests
• Microsoft AB-900 practice tests

Related terms

• OAuth: A standard that lets one app get limited access to your account in another service without learning your password.
• Identity and access management (IAM): The processes and tools that decide who someone is and what they are allowed to do.
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Proving who you are with two or more different kinds of evidence.

Written and checked by the Be Ready Education team, last reviewed 2 November 2026. General study information, not professional advice. Providers change names and rules, so confirm details on the official documentation. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by any certification vendor or exam body. Certification names, exam codes and product names are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to identify the exam a practice product prepares for. Our questions are original and are not actual exam questions.