As organizations grow, managing access to various software and systems becomes challenging. Employees in large companies use many apps and services daily.
To manage this, companies use Single Sign-On (SSO) with Identity Providers (IdPs) like Okta, Google Workspace, or Microsoft Entra ID. These IdPs handle user logins centrally. When a user logs into an app with SSO, the IdP verifies their details and shares access information with the app.
While this is great for IT admins, it can be tricky for companies creating software for many large clients. Supporting multiple IdPs while keeping the system secure and efficient can be difficult.
This is where SAML helps. SAML is an XML-based standard that enables SSO, allowing one login to provide access to multiple services. It is supported by all major IdPs.
In this article, you’ll learn what is SAML, how to set it up, and what alternatives exist for providing SSO functionality for your customers.
What is SAML?
SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is a language based on XML used for authentication. It helps link a user’s identity across different systems, allowing users to log in once and access multiple applications like Office 365, Salesforce, Webex, ADP, and Zoom.
SAML works by connecting a service provider (like Office 365) and an identity provider (like Entrust Identity as a Service). When you try to log in to an application, either directly or through a single sign-on (SSO) portal, SAML exchanges authentication information between these two providers.
Single Sign-On (SSO) allows you to log in once and access multiple applications without having to log in again. SAML makes SSO possible by facilitating the exchange of information between three parties: you (the user), the identity provider (which verifies your identity), and the service provider (the application you want to use).
History of SAML
The Organization for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards (OASIS) established the Security Services Technical Committee (SSTC) in January 2001 to define an XML framework for exchanging authentication and authorization information.
Initial contributions included the Security Services Markup Language (S2ML) from Netegrity, AuthXML from Securant, XML Trust Assertion Service Specification (X-TASS) from VeriSign, and Information Technology Markup Language (ITML) from Jamcracker. These contributions laid the foundation for the first version of SAML.
In November 2002, OASIS announced SAML 1.0 as an OASIS Standard. The Liberty Alliance, a consortium of companies, non-profit, and government organizations, extended SAML with the Liberty Identity Federation Framework (ID-FF), which standardized cross-domain SSO.
In March 2005, SAML 2.0 was announced, merging the Liberty ID-FF and proprietary extensions from the Shibboleth project. SAML 2.0 has since become the dominant version used in enterprises worldwide.
How Does SAML Authentication Work?
SAML authentication helps users get into services, like software or data, they need for their work. It’s also used for customers who need to be checked before they can see their information. For example, an online banking customer needs to log in and be allowed to see their bank details.
Here’s how it works: When a user logs in, the Identity Provider (IdP) checks their details. If everything’s okay, the IdP sends this info (called SAML attributes) to the Service Provider (SP) exactly when the user tries to get in. The SP then asks the IdP if this user is allowed in. This happens smoothly because both the IdP and SP use SAML, so the user only needs to log in once. It’s important that SAML is set up correctly for both the IdP and SP to work right.
SAML Example
To illustrate how SAML works, let’s consider an example involving an employee accessing their company’s email service.
- Login Request: At the start of the day, John logs into his company’s SSO portal using his credentials.
- Access Service: John then navigates to the company’s email service (the SP).
- Authentication Request: The email service sends a SAML authentication request to the company’s IdP.
- Authentication Response: The IdP verifies John’s credentials and generates a SAML assertion.
- Access Granted: The email service receives the SAML assertion, verifies it, and grants John access to his email.
This process occurs seamlessly, allowing John to access his email without needing to log in again.
Types of SAML Providers
For SAML to work, you need two types of providers: identity providers and service providers.
– Identity Providers: These are systems that verify who a user is. They confirm the user’s identity and send that information, along with the user’s access rights, to a service provider. Examples of identity providers include Okta, Microsoft Active Directory (AD), and Microsoft Azure.
– Service Providers: These systems use the information from an identity provider to grant users access to their services. Examples of service providers are Salesforce, Box, and other specialized technology services.
In simple terms, SAML acts as the link between checking a user’s identity (authentication) and allowing them to use a service (authorization). It’s the language that helps identity providers and service providers talk to each other. When both an employer (the identity provider) and a SaaS company (the service provider) use SAML, they can smoothly verify and give access to users.
What Are the Components of SAML?
The SAML framework has four basic components: protocols, bindings, profiles, and flows.
Protocols: Protocols are like the languages that systems use to talk to each other. They securely carry authentication data and other information. For SAML, protocols help send assertions (confirmations of a user’s identity) so users can access different services.
Bindings: Bindings are the infrastructure that allows SAML messages to be sent using your service provider’s (SP) networking methods. They handle the transfer of SAML requests and responses, which contain user information during the login and access process.
Profiles: Profiles bring together SAML protocols, assertions, and bindings. They make it easier for systems to connect users to services. By keeping all this data in a profile, it becomes more accessible for enabling authenticated users to use services.
What is SAML Used For?
SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) makes it easier for users to log in and get access to different services. It allows your identity provider (who verifies who you are) and your service providers (like apps and websites) to work separately but still communicate. This helps manage user access centrally and makes it easy to use SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions.
When you log into an app that uses SAML, here’s what happens: The app (service provider) asks your identity provider to check your login details. The identity provider confirms who you are and sends this information back to the app. Now, you’re logged in and can use the app.
SAML authentication is about checking your identity and credentials, like passwords or two-factor authentication. SAML authorization tells the app what you are allowed to do once you’re logged in.
Benefits of Using SAML
SAML provides numerous benefits to organizations, enhancing both security and user experience. Let’s discuss some of the key benefits of using SAML:
1. Improved User Experience
SAML enables SSO, allowing users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple applications without needing to log in repeatedly. This reduces password fatigue and enhances productivity.
2. Enhanced Security
By centralizing authentication with an IdP, SAML reduces the risk of password-related security breaches. Users only need to authenticate with the IdP, minimizing the exposure of their credentials. Additionally, SAML supports multifactor authentication (MFA), further strengthening security.
3. Simplified Administration
SAML centralizes user management, making it easier for IT administrators to control access to applications. This simplifies tasks such as onboarding and offboarding employees, as administrators only need to manage user access through the IdP.
4. Reduced IT Costs
With SAML, service providers handle account administration, reducing the need for organizations to invest in custom authentication solutions. This lowers IT costs and allows resources to be allocated to other critical areas.
5. Interoperability
As an open standard, SAML is supported by a wide range of IdPs and SPs, ensuring compatibility across different systems. This interoperability makes it easier for organizations to integrate SAML into their existing infrastructure.
6. Compliance
SAML can help organizations meet regulatory requirements related to data security and access management. By providing a standardized approach to authentication and authorization, SAML supports compliance with frameworks such as GDPR and HIPAA.
What is SAML Assertion?
A SAML Assertion is an XML document that the identity provider (IdP) sends to the Service Provider (SP) confirming the user’s authorization status. There are three main types of SAML Assertions: authentication, attribute, and authorization decisions.
Authentication assertions validate a user’s identity and include details like the login time and the method of authentication used (such as password, MFA, Kerberos, etc.).
Attribute assertions pass SAML tokens to the SP, linking user attributes between the IdP and SP directories. These attributes are specific pieces of information that describe the user.
Authorization decision assertions indicate whether a user is permitted to access a service. They also specify if the IdP denied access due to a password error or insufficient rights to use a service.
What is SAML SSO?
SAML Single Sign-On (SSO) lets users log in once to access multiple web apps. After logging into the identity provider, they can easily switch between different apps without needing to log in again. This makes it quicker and smoother for users.
With SAML SSO, users only need to remember one set of login details, which enhances security and convenience. They log into the identity provider once, and then they can click on app icons or use URLs to access specific apps without repeatedly entering their credentials.
SAML SSO also boosts productivity. Users save time because they don’t have to log into each app separately with different usernames and passwords. This reduces the number of password resets users request, freeing up the Help Desk to focus on other tasks.
Besides improving user satisfaction and productivity, SAML SSO cuts costs. Help Desks handle fewer calls because users manage their own passwords better. Organizations also save money by using an identity provider instead of building and maintaining their own authentication systems.
What Are the Alternatives of SAML?
While SAML is a strong solution for SSO, there are alternative protocols that organizations can consider, such as OAuth and OpenID Connect.
OAuth
An open standard called OAuth is frequently used for token-based authentication in access delegation. It permits access to user data by third-party apps without disclosing login credentials. OAuth is often used in scenarios where granular access control is needed, such as granting a mobile app access to a subset of a user’s data.
OpenID Connect
OAuth 2.0 is the foundation for the identification layer known as OpenID Connect. It provides authentication and single sign-on functionality, similar to SAML. OpenID Connect is designed to be simpler and more lightweight than SAML, making it suitable for modern web and mobile applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q 1. What is SAML and how does it enable Single Sign-On (SSO)?
A. SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is an XML-based standard that allows Single Sign-On (SSO). It works by exchanging authentication data between an identity provider (IdP) and a service provider (SP), enabling users to log in once and access multiple applications without re-entering credentials.
Q 2. What are the main components of SAML?
A. The SAML framework comprises four main components: protocols (define communication methods), bindings (specify how SAML messages are sent), profiles (combine protocols and bindings for specific use cases), and assertions (carry authentication information).
Q 3. How does SAML improve security?
A. SAML improves security by centralizing authentication using an identity provider (IdP), reducing the likelihood of password-related breaches. It supports multifactor authentication (MFA) and minimizes credential exposure, as users only need to authenticate with the IdP.
Q 4. What are the benefits of using SAML?
A. Key benefits of using SAML include improved user experience with Single Sign-On (SSO), enhanced security through centralized authentication, simplified administration, reduced IT costs, interoperability with various systems, and compliance with data security regulations.
Q 5. What are some alternatives to SAML?
A. Alternatives to SAML for Single Sign-On (SSO) include OAuth and OpenID Connect. OAuth is used for token-based authentication and access delegation, while OpenID Connect is an identity layer built on top of OAuth 2.0, designed for simpler, modern web and mobile applications.
Conclusion
Now, we hope you’ve got your answer on “What is SAML?” SAML is a powerful tool for managing authentication and authorization in large organizations. By enabling Single Sign-On (SSO), SAML simplifies the user experience, enhances security, and streamlines access management. Its open standard ensures interoperability with a wide range of identity providers and service providers, making it a flexible and scalable solution for enterprises.
Implementing SAML can lead to significant business benefits, including improved productivity, reduced administrative costs, and enhanced security. As organizations continue to adopt cloud-based services and applications, SAML will remain a critical component of their identity and access management strategy.
By understanding and utilizing SAML, businesses can ensure secure and efficient access to their digital resources, ultimately driving better performance and growth.
