The process by which a user's authenticated session in a Single Sign-On (SSO) system automatically ends after a predefined period of inactivity or upon reaching a specific time limit.
Description
Session expiration is a critical security feature in Single Sign-On (SSO) protocols that helps protect user accounts from unauthorized access. When a user logs into an application through SSO, a session is created that allows the user to access multiple applications without needing to log in again for each one. However, to enhance security, these sessions have expiration policies that automatically log users out after a certain period of inactivity (e.g., 15 minutes) or after a fixed duration (e.g., 24 hours). This reduces the risk of session hijacking, especially in shared or public environments. Users are often notified before their session expires, allowing them to extend their session if they are still active. For instance, in platforms like Google Workspace, users may receive a prompt before their session expires, giving them the option to stay logged in. Implementing effective session expiration policies is essential for maintaining user trust and data security in a digital landscape increasingly threatened by cyber threats.
Examples
- In Google Workspace, users are logged out automatically after 30 minutes of inactivity to protect sensitive information.
- In Microsoft Azure Active Directory, administrators can set session timeouts for applications, enforcing a maximum session duration of 8 hours.
Additional Information
- Session expiration policies can often be customized based on organizational security requirements.
- Users should be educated about the importance of session expiration for their security to encourage best practices in password management.