What system allows a single user authentication process across multiple IT systems?

Federated Single Sign-On (SSO) is a system designed to enable a user to authenticate once and gain access to multiple IT systems without needing to log in separately to each one. This approach streamlines the user experience by allowing seamless transitions between different systems and applications while maintaining a high level of security.

The key aspect of Federated SSO is its ability to work across various domains or organizations, making it particularly useful in environments where users need access to services managed by different entities. By using a centralized authentication service, users authenticate their identity in one location, and this identity is then recognized by other systems that participate in the federation.

This consolidation of authentication not only enhances the user experience—eliminating the hassle of remembering multiple passwords—but it also simplifies identity management for the organization, thereby reducing the potential for password-related security issues. This is increasingly important in today's environment where applications and resources are often distributed across different platforms and jurisdictions.