SAML explained simply: What is it and how it works

SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is an open standard protocol pivotal for enabling Single Sign-On (SSO) across diverse enterprise applications, facilitating a seamless login experience by allowing users to access multiple apps with a single authentication event. It operates by having an identity provider (IdP) authenticate a user and then transmitting a SAML assertion to a service provider (SP), which trusts this assertion to grant access without requiring additional credentials. This process significantly enhances both user convenience and security by centralizing credential management with the IdP, thereby minimizing the risk of password-related security breaches. While SAML is favored for enterprise environments due to its robust security and scalability, its XML-based framework and lack of mobile-native support make it less suited for modern, API-first, and mobile applications compared to alternatives like OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect (OIDC). Despite these limitations, SAML remains a trusted standard in many enterprises, offering a secure and efficient method for managing user identities and access across complex IT ecosystems.