Federated Identity

Federated identity systems allow users to access resources across organizational trust boundaries by authenticating with just one trusted end of the connection. Partners in a federated identity system agree to trust each other's authentication systems. This allows for the implementation of Single Sign-On (SSO).

References:

http://www.it.ojp.gov/GFIPM

http://www.noao.edu/nsf/presentations/FACILITIES/THF13b%20HASSLER%20InCommon%20LF%20Workshop%202009.pdf

http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/EST0903.pdf