The verdict in three sentences
Stacking local accounts on an extranet means stacking weak passwords and support tickets. In 2026, SSO authentication in SAML or OIDC connected to Azure AD or Okta costs 6,000 to 20,000 EUR excl. tax and deploys in 4 to 8 weeks, while cutting password tickets by around 50 %. For a CISO, SSO is not a comfort feature: it is the building block that centralizes access control and enforces MFA everywhere.
SSO or local accounts: the comparison
SSO shifts identity management to a central directory, which changes everything in terms of security and operations.
| Criterion | Local accounts | SSO SAML/OIDC |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 setup cost | Low upfront | 6,000 – 20,000 EUR excl. tax |
| Password tickets | High | ~ -50 % |
| Generalized MFA | Rare | Native |
| Provisioning / offboarding | Manual | Automated (SCIM) |
| Attack surface | Wide | Reduced |
| Deployment time | Immediate | 4 – 8 weeks |
The upfront SSO cost is quickly offset by lower support tickets and reduced account-compromise risk.
What an SSO setup covers
An SSO project is not just plugging in a directory: it structures the entire access lifecycle. Here is the budget split for a 12,000 EUR excl. tax engagement.
| Line item | Share of budget | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| SAML / OIDC integration | 30 % | Working federated login |
| Azure AD / Okta integration | 20 % | Central directory connected |
| MFA | 15 % | Generalized two-factor |
| SCIM provisioning | 20 % | Auto account create / delete |
| Testing & security acceptance | 15 % | Acceptance report |
SCIM provisioning is often underestimated, yet it automates immediate access revocation when someone leaves, a critical point in audits.
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Mini case study
Thomas, CISO of a retail group in London, manages a 600-account partner extranet. His support handles 90 password tickets a month at an estimated internal cost of 12 EUR per ticket, i.e. 1,080 EUR / month. He gets a quote for SAML SSO with MFA and SCIM provisioning at 14,000 EUR excl. tax. By cutting tickets 50 %, he saves 540 EUR / month, i.e. 6,480 EUR / year. The project pays back in a little over two years on that metric alone, before counting the reduced compromise risk and the automatic offboarding of departing partners, which weighed heavily in his last audit.
FAQ
What is the difference between SAML and OIDC? SAML is a mature standard widely used in enterprises; OIDC, built on OAuth 2.0, is lighter and suited to modern and mobile apps. Both enable SSO; the choice depends on your directory and applications.
Does SSO require MFA? SSO makes generalizing MFA far easier, usually enforced at the central directory level. It is one of its main security benefits.
How long to deploy SSO? Budget 4 to 8 weeks depending on the number of applications to federate and the complexity of SCIM provisioning.
What does SCIM provisioning add? It automatically creates and deletes user accounts from the central directory. When an employee or partner leaves, access is revoked immediately, with no manual step.
Does SSO work with Azure AD and Okta? Yes, these are the two most common identity providers in 2026. The extranet connects to either via SAML or OIDC depending on your existing setup.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your directory (Azure AD, Okta), account count and MFA needs: we frame an SSO setup (6,000-20,000 EUR excl. tax). Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
