About DOE SSO

At DOE SSO (Department of Education Single Sign-On), our mission is deeply rooted in promoting student achievement and global competitiveness, fostering educational excellence, and ensuring equitable access for all. Established in 1980 through the consolidation of offices from various federal agencies, DOE SSO is committed to advancing these core principles.

With a team of 4,400 dedicated employees and a budget of $68 billion, we are driven by a shared vision of excellence in education and a dedication to serving students, educators, and communities across the nation.

Industry
Education

Objective

DOE SSO aims to create a secure, scalable, and user-friendly single sign-on (SSO) solution, enhancing accessibility to various applications while prioritizing security, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.

Challenges

• Credential Management Burden:

  Users struggle with maintaining credentials for over 32 applications, leading to frustration and potential security risks due to password fatigue and potential for weak passwords.

• Administrative Overload:

  Administrators grapple with a high volume of authentication-related issues, necessitating costly setups of multiple IT help desks to address proceedings efficiently.

• Federal Compliance Demands:

  DOE SSO must adhere to stringent federal compliance standards for implementing single sign-on within the Department of Education, requiring robust security measures and strict adherence to regulations.

• Distributed Application Environment:

  Applications are spread across multiple environments, posing challenges for seamless integration into the SSO solution and requiring sophisticated strategies for interoperability and centralized management.

Solutions

• Centralized Application Integration:

  SESAT provided a centralized application integration platform that seamlessly integrates applications across multiple environments into the SSO solution. This would streamline access for users while ensuring compatibility and security across distributed application landscapes.

• Application Inventory and Mapping:

  SESAT might have conducted an extensive inventory of DOE SSO’s applications and mapped out their dependencies and integration requirements. This would facilitate the seamless integration of applications into the SSO solution and ensure optimal performance and security.

• Automated Authentication System:

  SESAT developed automated authentication processes within the SSO solution to reduce the occurrence of authentication-related issues. This could include automated password resets, multi-factor authentication, and self-service options to alleviate the need for multiple IT help desks.

• Credential Management Solution:

  SESAT implemented a password management system or a single sign-on (SSO) solution that securely stores and manages user credentials for all 32 applications. This would alleviate the burden on users while enhancing security.

• Comprehensive Training and Support:

  SESAT provided comprehensive training and support services to administrators and end-users, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively manage credentials, troubleshoot authentication issues, and ensure compliance with federal regulations.