What is SAML?
SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is a way for different computer systems to share information about who a user is, so the user can log in once and access many services without entering passwords again.
Let's break it down
- Security: keeping data safe and making sure only the right people can get in.
- Assertion: a statement that says “this person is who they claim to be.”
- Markup Language: a type of text (like HTML or XML) that structures data so computers can read it.
- SAML: puts the security statement into a structured text format that different systems understand, allowing them to trust each other.
Why does it matter?
It saves time and reduces password fatigue for users, while helping companies keep control over who can see which apps, improving both convenience and security.
Where is it used?
- Employees logging into corporate web apps (e.g., HR, finance) through a single sign-on portal.
- Universities letting students access library resources, email, and learning platforms with one login.
- Cloud services (like Salesforce or Office 365) that accept SAML tokens from a company’s identity provider.
- Government agencies sharing citizen data across separate internal systems securely.
Good things about it
- Single Sign-On: one login for many applications.
- Improved security: passwords aren’t repeatedly sent; tokens are short-lived.
- Standardized: works across many vendors and platforms.
- Scalable: can handle thousands of users without extra custom code.
- Reduced IT support: fewer password reset requests.
Not-so-good things
- Complex setup: configuring identity providers and service providers can be technical.
- Heavy XML: the messages are large, which can affect performance on slow networks.
- Limited mobile support: older SAML flows aren’t always ideal for native mobile apps.
- Dependency on a single IdP: if the identity provider goes down, all linked services may become inaccessible.