The Benefits Of SSO Dashboards Over Saving Browser Passwords

In the digital age, password management is a critical aspect of the day-to-day lives of Realtor members of your MLS / Association. They have multiple online accounts, each requiring its own username and password. Managing these credentials can be cumbersome and time-consuming. Two common approaches for handling this challenge are Single Sign-On (SSO) dashboards and saving passwords in the browser. Both methods have their advantages, but they differ significantly in terms of security, convenience, and efficiency.

Single Sign-On (SSO) Dashboards for MLSs:

1. Enhanced Security and Better Control For Your MLS / Association: One of the primary advantages of using an SSO dashboard is the enhanced security it offers.  And every MLS or Association should be considering security in times like these!  With SSO, you don't store passwords locally on your device or within a web browser. Instead, the credentials are securely stored on a central server. This significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access to your accounts through malware or hacking attempts on your local device.

2. Reduced Password Fatigue: SSO simplifies the login process by allowing users to access multiple applications and services with a single set of credentials. This reduces the need to remember and manage numerous passwords, which can alleviate the fatigue associated with maintaining multiple passwords for various accounts.

3. Ability to Enable Passkeys: An SSO dashboard allows you to enable just a single biometric login to every tool your organization provides.  No more passwords to remember at all!
   
   

4. Centralized Control: For businesses and organizations, SSO dashboards provide centralized control over user access and authentication. Administrators can easily manage user accounts, revoke access, and implement security policies across multiple applications, ensuring that employees have the right level of access to the tools they need.

5. Enhanced User Experience: SSO offers a seamless and convenient user experience. Users can access multiple applications with a single click, eliminating the need to repeatedly enter login credentials. This not only saves time but also improves user satisfaction.

6. Improved Compliance and Audit Trail: For companies in regulated industries, SSO provides a robust solution for compliance and auditing. It allows for detailed tracking of user access and actions, helping organizations maintain records for regulatory compliance and security audits.

7. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Many SSO solutions offer the option to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), adding an extra layer of security. This ensures that even if someone gains access to your SSO dashboard, they would still need an additional authentication factor to access individual applications.

Saving Passwords in the Browser:

1. Convenience: Saving passwords in the browser is arguably more convenient for individual users. Modern web browsers offer to save and autofill login credentials, eliminating the need to remember or type passwords each time you log in to a website. This convenience can save time and reduce the cognitive load associated with password management.

2. Quick Access: When passwords are saved in the browser, users can quickly access their accounts without the hassle of navigating through an SSO dashboard. This can be particularly helpful for personal accounts and everyday web services.

3. User Autonomy: Saving passwords in the browser allows users to have greater autonomy over their credentials. They can choose which passwords to save and manage, making it suitable for individuals who may have specific preferences or privacy concerns.

However, it's important to note that saving passwords in the browser has several drawbacks:

1. Limited Security: Saving passwords in the browser exposes them to local threats. If your device is compromised, an attacker can potentially gain access to all your saved passwords. Additionally, browsers are more vulnerable to phishing attacks, where malicious websites mimic legitimate ones to steal your credentials.  And in the case of using Google Chrome or another syncing browser, by gaining the credentials of the browser user, you can gain access to all of the user's username and passwords!

2. Lack of Centralized Control: For organizations, relying on browser-stored passwords can result in a lack of centralized control and visibility over user access and authentication. It makes it challenging for administrators to enforce security policies consistently.

3. Difficulty in Managing Multiple Accounts, Profiles, or MLS / Association Access: Members managing and organizing browser-saved passwords can become unwieldy. There's no easy way to categorize, search, or apply access controls to these passwords.

4. Vulnerability to Browser Vulnerabilities: Browsers can have security vulnerabilities that expose saved passwords to potential exploitation. Regular updates are essential, but they don't eliminate the risk entirely.

The choice between the two depends on individual preferences, the specific use case, and the level of security and control required. SSO dashboards are a robust solution for businesses and organizations, offering enhanced security, centralized control, and a streamlined user experience. On the other hand, saving passwords in the browser is more convenient for personal accounts and everyday web services but comes with inherent security risks.