Microsoft Entra ID single sign-on

Why single sign-on is now critical for enterprise access management

As organizations shift toward cloud-centric environments, an enterprise uses around 275 apps. This has created a significant security gap known as password fatigue. When forced to create and remember credentials for every tool, users often resort to weak passwords or reuse the same ones across multiple platforms.

For IT teams, this creates a two-pronged problem: a massive increase in password-related help desk tickets and a higher risk of credential-based breaches. Single sign-on (SSO) solves this by allowing users to authenticate once and gain immediate access to all their authorized resources. By centralizing the login process, SSO eliminates the need for multiple passwords, reduces the attack surface, and provides admins with a single point of control for user access.

What is Microsoft Entra SSO?

Microsoft Entra SSO (formerly Azure SSO) is an authentication method that allows users to sign in once using their Microsoft Entra ID credentials to access all their connected cloud apps and resources. ManageEngine ADSelfService Plus offers this capability, providing a unified entry point for your cloud ecosystem using cloud-native identities.

In this setup, Microsoft Entra ID acts as the primary identity directory. Instead of managing separate logins for Salesforce, AWS, and internal web apps, ADSelfService Plus performs a secure handshake directly with your Microsoft Entra environment. This ensures a seamless, modern login experience while applying security policies, like MFA, consistently across all enterprise apps.

What are the benefits of single sign-on with Microsoft Entra ID?

Implementing SSO with Microsoft Entra ID improves access management across three areas: user experience, security, and IT operations.

• Streamlined sign-in experiences: Deliver a superior workflow by significantly reducing or entirely eliminating repetitive sign-in prompts. Once authenticated, users can move between apps without the friction of multiple login screens.
• Increased employee productivity: Simplify how your team discovers and accesses work tools. A centralized app -launching dashboard provides quick, one-click access to all authorized resources, ensuring employees spend less time managing credentials.
• Enhanced security posture: By consolidating identities, you effectively reduce the dangerous habit of reusing usernames and passwords across different platforms. This centralization helps minimize the attack surface and reduces the risk of credential-based breaches.
• Increased IT efficiency: Centralize user account management to regain control over your environment. Admins can automatically grant or revoke access to apps based on a user’s specific role or group membership.

How does Microsoft Entra ID single sign-on work?

Microsoft Entra ID SSO works through a token-based authentication flow between the user, identity provider, and app:

1. A user attempts to log into a cloud service (e.g., ServiceNow).
2. The service redirects the request to ADSelfService Plus to verify the user’s Microsoft Entra ID credentials.
3. Upon successful login, ADSelfService Plus issues a secure token (SAML or OpenID Connect).
4. The app accepts the token and logs the user in immediately.
5. When the user attempts to access another integrated app, direct access is granted without another authentication prompt.

Single sign-on protocols supported

To ensure compatibility across your entire tech stack, ADSelfService Plus supports various SSO protocols and methods to facilitate secure communication:

• SAML 2.0: ADSefService Plus supports Microsoft Entra ID SAML SSO, providing secure, XML-based token exchange between the identity provider and your cloud services.
• OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect: It also supports OAuth SSO with Microsoft Entra ID using protocols ideal for mobile and web-based apps requiring lightweight API authorization.
• Identity provider- and service provider-initiated SSO: Whether users start from their central dashboard or the app's login page, the Microsoft Entra ID SSO experience remains fluid and secure.

Secure Microsoft Entra ID single sign-on with advanced authentication

Standard passwords are no longer enough to protect corporate data. To fortify Microsoft Entra ID SSO, ADSelfService Plus integrates advanced security layers:

MFA for Microsoft Entra ID SSO  

Standard passwords alone cannot protect sensitive cloud data. ADSelfService Plus enforces secondary verification, such as biometrics, YubiKey, or push notifications, to fortify every login. By requiring multiple identity layers, you ensure only authorized users access critical resources, effectively neutralizing risks from compromised credentials and sophisticated phishing attacks.

Passwordless authentication  

Eliminate credential vulnerabilities by removing passwords from the login process entirely. ADSelfService Plus allows users to authenticate using phishing-resistant methods like FIDO2 passkeys and biometrics. This provides a faster, more secure SSO with Microsoft Entra ID experience, significantly enhancing your security posture while removing the friction of manual password management.

Conditional access  

Secure your digital perimeter with granular policies for Microsoft Entra ID SSO that adapt to real-time risk. ADSelfService Plus triggers MFA or restricts access based on a user's IP address, time, or device type. For example, every Microsoft Entra ID SAML SSO attempt from untrusted devices is strictly verified with advanced MFA, while enterprise devices are not subject to scrutiny, streamlining authentication.

Why choose ADSelfService Plus for Microsoft Entra ID single sign-on?

ADSelfService Plus provides a framework designed for organizations that require deep integration between their on-premises AD and Microsoft Entra ID SSO.

• Unified support for Microsoft Entra ID and Active Directory SSO: Manage hybrid environments effortlessly. ADSelfService Plus supports both Microsoft Entra SSO for cloud-native accounts and Active Directory SSO for on-premises identities, allowing you to secure all users regardless of where their identity lives.
• 100+ built-in integrations and custom app support: Rapidly deploy SSO with Microsoft Entra ID for over 100 popular SaaS apps or easily configure SSO for any in-house or custom-developed app.
• Granular SSO configuration: Maintain precise control over cloud access by configuring SSO policies across specific domains and groups in the tenant.
• Advanced authenticator support: Go beyond standard passwords by securing Microsoft Entra ID SSO with a wide array of advanced authenticators. Support for biometrics, YubiKey, TOTP, and push notifications ensures that every Microsoft Entra ID SAML SSO and Microsoft Entra ID OpenID Connect SSO attempt is verified securely.
• Automated life cycle management: Reduce manual IT overhead with just-in-time provisioning. Automatically create and update user accounts in cloud apps as users log in.
• Comprehensive audit and compliance: Every access request is logged in detailed audit reports. This visibility ensures regulatory requirements are met when implementing SSO with Microsoft Entra ID.