Understanding SSO, SAML, and ISO 27001 for Workforce Management

When evaluating workforce management software, security certifications and protocols appear in every vendor's marketing. Here's what three of the most important ones actually mean.

SSO — Single Sign-On

Single Sign-On enables employees to access multiple applications using one set of credentials. For an organization using Microsoft 365, this means employees use their existing Microsoft account to log into TimeClock 365 — no separate password to remember, no password reuse across systems.

From a security perspective, SSO reduces the attack surface. Each additional password is a potential vulnerability. Fewer passwords means fewer attack vectors.

SAML — Security Assertion Markup Language

SAML is the technical standard that makes SSO work across organizational boundaries. It's an XML-based protocol for exchanging authentication and authorization data between an identity provider (your organization's Okta, Azure AD, or Google Workspace) and a service provider (TimeClock 365).

When SAML is configured, your IT team controls who has access to TimeClock 365. When an employee leaves, revoking their access in your identity provider immediately revokes their TimeClock 365 access — automatically.

ISO 27001 — Information Security Management

ISO 27001 is an international certification for information security management systems. It is not a self-assessment — it requires annual certification by an accredited third-party auditor. Organizations with ISO 27001 certification have demonstrated that they identify security risks systematically, implement controls, and review them continuously.

For workforce data (attendance records, biometric data, payroll information), ISO 27001 certification provides meaningful assurance that the vendor takes security seriously.

TimeClock 365 implements all three: SAML SSO with Okta, Azure AD, and Google Workspace; and annual ISO 27001 certification. See the full security overview →