Method and system for single authentication for a plurality of services

A method in a data processing system for providing authentication for a plurality of services, comprising the steps of:

• sending authentication information by a client to access one of the plurality of services;
• receiving the authentication information from the client to access one of the plurality of services;
• determining validity of the authentication information;
• when it is determined that the authentication information is valid,
• sending to the client a security token that enables the client to access all of the plurality of services;
• receiving, by the client, the security token enabling access to the plurality of services;
• sending the received security token to one of the plurality of services to access the service without sending the authentication information;
• receiving the security token by the service;
• verifying the authenticity of the security token;
• and
• providing access to the service based on the verification of the security token.

A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a data processing system to perform a method for system for providing authentication for a plurality of services comprising the steps of:

• receiving authentication information from a client to access one of the plurality of services;
• determining validity of the authentication information;
• and
• when it is determined that the authentication information is valid,
• sending to the client a security token that enables the client to access all of the plurality of services.

A data processing system for providing authentication for a plurality of services, comprising:

• means for receiving authentication information from a client to access one of the plurality of services;
• means for determining validity of the authentication information;
• and
• means for, when it is determined that the authentication information is valid, sending to the client a security token that enables the client to access all of the plurality of services.