Strategies to Simplify Passwords

Technology

Pros

Cons

Consolidate passwords
Change apps to authenticate users against directories. Kerberos, SAML, etc. reduce login prompts.

Simpler architecture.

Some applications don't support this.
Single point of failure.
Performance bottlenecks.
Overloads the directory with application-specific data.

Password Management
Synchronize passwords. Enable users to reset own forgotten passwords. Manage other types of credentials, such as tokens or biometrics.

Lightweight technology. No client software. No server-side software. Rapid deployment. Low TCO.

Users still sign into each application separately.