A single sign-on service lets a user log in once to a central identity provider and securely access multiple connected applications. When you open an app, it trusts the identity provider to confirm who you are — using standards like SAML or OpenID Connect — so you get in seamlessly. One identity, one login, many apps.

SAML is long-established and widely used for enterprise web apps. OpenID Connect (OIDC), built on OAuth 2.0, is the modern standard popular with newer and mobile apps. OAuth itself handles authorisation (granting access), while OIDC adds authentication (verifying identity) on top. A good SSO platform supports all of these so it can connect both your legacy and modern apps.

A password manager stores and fills many separate passwords — the passwords still exist behind the scenes. SSO removes that: there's one identity and one login, and apps trust it directly, so there are far fewer passwords to steal or phish. Password managers help individuals; SSO gives an organisation central control over access, provisioning and security.

Yes — strongly recommended. Because SSO means one login opens many apps, that login must be well protected, or it becomes a single point of failure. Pairing SSO with MFA (and ideally conditional access) makes the front door strong, so the convenience of one login doesn't come at the cost of security. Most platforms offer both together, and we help you set that up.

SCIM is a standard that automates the user lifecycle: when someone joins, their accounts and access are created automatically; when they leave or change roles, access is updated or revoked instantly. That's a major security and time saving. On compliance, the DPDP Act and CERT-In raise expectations around controlling and auditing access to personal data — and centralised SSO with good logging helps. Pricing is typically per user per month (customer/CIAM is often per active user). Figures here are illustrative, and this is general guidance, not legal advice — confirm specifics with the vendor and your advisors.