What security feature allows organizations to provide single sign-on access while ensuring user password security?

Single sign-on (SSO) is a security feature that enhances user convenience by allowing users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple applications or services without having to log in again for each one. This process not only simplifies the user experience but also helps in ensuring password security by reducing the number of times users need to enter their passwords.

When implemented correctly, SSO can mitigate risks related to password fatigue, where users might resort to weaker passwords due to the frequent logins required. Instead, with a centralized authentication process, organizations can better enforce strong password policies and utilize multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance security further.

In contrast, OAuth is primarily an authorization framework that enables applications to obtain limited access to user accounts on an HTTP service without exposing passwords. SAML, or Security Assertion Markup Language, is a standard that facilitates SSO and is often used in web-based applications for exchanging authentication and authorization data between parties, but it is not an inherent security feature by itself. PAP (Password Authentication Protocol) is a simple method for authenticating users but does not support single sign-on capabilities.

Consequently, SSO stands out as the primary feature that directly allows organizations to provide streamlined access while maintaining a robust approach to password management and security