The verdict in three sentences
A 400-employee mid-size company whose line-of-business app still relies on local accounts and manually managed passwords carries real cyber risk and an underestimated support cost. Integrating SSO with Entra ID (OIDC or SAML), a fine-grained role model and access logging costs between USD 7,000 and 17,000 as a 2026 ballpark, for 3 to 5 weeks of work. With stolen credentials involved in a large majority of breaches, often cited at around 80%, it is also the first control cyber insurers check.
What cyber insurers ask for in 2026
Underwriting questionnaires have tightened since 2023. An internal app reachable from outside without strong authentication can mean a surcharge, a higher deductible or a refusal to cover.
| Common requirement | Situation with local accounts | What SSO provides |
|---|---|---|
| MFA on all remote access | Missing or app-specific | MFA enforced by Entra ID Conditional Access |
| No shared accounts or generic passwords | Shared "warehouse" or "accounting" logins | One named account per person |
| Access revoked when an employee leaves | Depends on someone remembering | Account disabled in Entra ID, access cut everywhere |
| Sign-in logs kept 6 to 12 months | Incomplete or missing logs | Central log, exportable to the SIEM |
| Least privilege | Rights granted case by case | Defined roles, twice-yearly review |
| Separate admin accounts | Admin is the daily account | Distinct admin role, stronger MFA |
For firms regulated by NYDFS Part 500, MFA for remote access and access privilege reviews are explicit obligations, so SSO directly supports the annual certification.
Detailed integration budget
| Work package | Scope | 2026 indicative budget |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping and acceptance | Account inventory, existing roles, testing, documentation | USD 900 to 1,700 |
| OIDC integration with Entra ID | App registration, authentication flow, MFA | USD 1,700 to 4,000 |
| SAML federation for partners | Contractors or subsidiaries on their own directory | USD 1,100 to 2,800 |
| Role model | Entra ID groups mapped to business roles, rights by site and module | USD 1,400 to 3,400 |
| Automatic provisioning | Account creation and deactivation via SCIM | USD 900 to 2,300 |
| Logging and alerts | Traceability of access and sensitive actions, SIEM export | USD 1,000 to 2,800 |
The item that moves the budget is the role model. An app with three profiles is quick. An app with rights per warehouse, per client and per document type needs real design work with the business teams, and that work is what prevents excessive privileges.
On licensing, Entra ID P1 is included in Microsoft 365 E3 and E5. Otherwise, plan about USD 6 per user per month as a 2026 ballpark to get Conditional Access.
OIDC or SAML: how to choose
| Criterion | OIDC | SAML 2.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard age | Recent, built on OAuth 2.0 | Older, XML based |
| Modern web and mobile apps | Ideal | Possible but heavier |
| Compatibility with older partner directories | Variable | Very broad |
| Token handling for APIs | Native | Limited |
| Typical integration time | 1 to 2 weeks | 2 to 3 weeks |
For a recent internal app, OIDC is the default choice. SAML is added when partners or a subsidiary use a different identity provider.
Mini case study
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Michael is CIO of a 400-employee distribution company in New York. His planning app has 400 local accounts: the help desk handles 160 password resets a month at 12 minutes each, so 32 hours at USD 55 loaded cost, USD 21,120 a year. His cyber insurer applies a 15% surcharge on a USD 40,000 premium because business apps lack MFA: USD 6,000 a year.
The SSO project with Entra ID, roles per site and logging costs USD 13,000, plus USD 1,500 a year of maintenance. Annual gain: 21,120 + 6,000 - 1,500 = USD 25,620. Payback in about 6 months, and accounts for the 40 yearly leavers are now cut the same day.
FAQ
How long does an SSO integration take?
Between 3 and 5 weeks for an internal app: one week of scoping, 1 to 3 weeks of development, one week of testing and cutover. Cutover is often done site by site to limit risk.
What happens to existing local accounts?
They are matched to Entra ID accounts by email, then disabled after a 2 to 4 week dual-access period. A protected, logged break-glass admin account remains in case the directory is unavailable.
Do we need extra Entra ID licences?
Basic authentication is included in every Microsoft 365 subscription. Conditional Access, needed to enforce MFA by context, requires Entra ID P1, included in E3 and E5 or billed at about USD 6 per user per month.
Does SSO work for temps and contractors?
Yes, through Entra ID guest accounts or SAML federation with their own directory. Plan USD 1,100 to 2,800 for partner federation.
How long should access logs be kept?
Most insurers and frameworks expect 6 to 12 months, and regulated firms often keep them longer. Access to the logs is itself restricted to the security team.
Let's scope your project. Describe your application, your user profiles and your insurer's requirements, and we will price the SSO integration, the role model and a 3 to 5 week plan. 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.
