The term SAML is often used interchangeably with SSO! But anyone with some idea of access would know that’s not the case…
Although these features handle similar functions, there are differences. For one, SAML is a function often used in SSO solutions. But we’ll cover the rest in detail below…
What is SAML?
Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is a standard way for computer systems to share user identity information. SAML uses XML to format the data and allows a service provider to trust the identity information from an identity provider.
Think of it like a digital handshake where one system vouches for who you are so another system can grant you access. SAML is a protocol that is often used in SSO solutions, to grant quick access. However, it’s also used in identity federation.
How Does SAML Work?
- Step 1: You or any individual attempts to log in to a website or application.
- Step 2: The service then recognizes that you or the software needs authentication and sends the user or individual to the IdP (identity provider).
- Step 3: The user then has to log into the IdP, most likely with a username and password.
- Step 4: Then, the IdP verifies the user's identity and creates a digital statement (assertion) about who they are. Then, this statement is then sent back to the service.
- Step 5: The service examines the assertion, trusts the IDP, and logs the user in.
What is SSO?
Single Sign-On (SSO) lets users log in once and then access multiple related, but separate, systems without having to log in again for each one. What this does is simplify the user experience by reducing the number of times they have to enter their credentials.
This is useful for accessing many applications within a company. SSO makes use of SAML, FIDO, and OIDC protocols to allow single sign-on. What this also means is that SAML is commonly used as SSO and in that sense used as a synonym in some cases.
How Does SSO Work?
- Step 1: You or the individual first log in to a central system, the SSO provider.
- Step 2: After this, the SSO provider creates a session for the user, remembering that they are authenticated.
- Step 3: When the user tries to access other applications connected to the SSO system, the SSO provider automatically verifies their existing session.
- Step 4: Because the SSO system already knows the user is logged in, they are granted access to the other applications without having to re-enter their password or credentials again and again.
SAML vs. SSO: Key Differences
What’s the difference? SAML vs. SSO - they do the same thing, right? Well, to clear that up - Yes! But their functionality, security, and use cases can vary a bit.
1. Usage and Functionality
SSO (Single Sign-On) simplifies access to applications within a company. In this way, it’s a lot like a master key, allowing users to log in once and access multiple internal systems. Think of it as a closed loop, managing access primarily within the company's digital environment.
SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language), on the other hand, allows secure access to applications across different companies (but can also be used internally with your techstack).
What SAML does is facilitate federated identity, where a user's identity is verified by one company (the Identity Provider or IdP) and that verification is shared with another (the Service Provider or SP). In the grand scheme, this helps and allows users to access external applications without creating separate accounts for each time.
2. Security
While often used interchangeably, SSO within a company typically uses encrypted tokens and centralized authentication to improve security.
SAML on the other hand, is designed for cross-organizational authentication and relies on a trusted IDP to verify user identities. Creating secure access to external resources, SAML facilitates quick access without sharing sensitive login credentials directly with the service provider.
In this aspect, SAML is considered more secure due to its structured functioning and emphasis on identity verification and trust management between companies and teams.
3. Most Common Use Cases
SAML is technically a sub-function or type of SSO. That said, SSO can also be used with OIDC, and OAuth is primarily an authorization frameworks that allow applications to access resources on behalf of a user without sharing their credentials.
- Proprietary medical software (EHR)
- Software development platforms
- Sales platforms
- Customer support systems
- CRM systems
SAML, one of the types of protocols used in SSO, is more frequently used for external applications and in enterprises for cross-organizational access, such as:
- Social media applications
- E-commerce stores
- Authenticating identity on various web applications
How Does SSO Work With SAML
SAML is often used as the underlying technology to put SSO in place. In this case, the SSO system acts as the Identity Provider (IdP) and uses SAML to communicate user authentication information to the various Service Providers (SPs) the user wants to access.
This means the user logs in once to the SSO system (IdP) and then the SSO system uses SAML to log them into other applications (SPs) automatically.
SAML vs SSO: Benefits and Challenges
SAML Benefits
- SAML centralizes user authentication in a company, which improves security.
- SAML simplifies user account management, reducing administrative overhead.
- Users enjoy a better experience by not needing multiple logins. In turn, this lowers the risk of password fatigue but also makes tasks a lot quicker.
- SAML can work across different platforms and systems. That said, some legacy software does not support this.
- SAML can help meet compliance requirements
SAML Challenges
- Setting up SAML can be a little complex unless you use SSO software.
- It requires careful configuration of trust between systems.
- Troubleshooting problems can be difficult.
- SAML might require specialized expertise, but there are also SSO tools that enable this.
- Initial setup can be time-consuming, but with SSO it can happen quickly.
- Maintaining SAML can require ongoing effort, but this can be automated with directory sync in companies.
SSO Benefits
- SSO improves the user experience. And is a lot more flexible to use other protocols to create access to different software.
- It increases user productivity and reduces the need to keep entering passwords.
- SSO reduces help desk calls for password resets.
- It can strengthen security with centralized authentication.
- SSO simplifies access to multiple applications.
- Users only need to remember one set of credentials.
SSO Challenges
- If the SSO system fails, users lose access to all connected applications.
- Initial setup can be time-consuming.
- SSO might require changes to existing systems.
- It can create a single point of failure.
- SSO might not be suitable for all applications.
- Maintaining the SSO system requires ongoing attention.
Other Options to Enable SSO
- OpenID Connect (OIDC): It's a modern authentication layer built on OAuth 2.0, ideal for web and mobile apps, and facilitates user identity verification.
- OAuth 2.0: Primarily an authorization framework, it allows applications to access resources without sharing user credentials, and it's essential for API security.
- WS-Federation: Often used in Microsoft environments, it enables SSO across different security domains, and is used in older enterprise systems.
- Password Management tools: Tools that manage passwords can provide SSO like functionality by storing and auto-filling login credentials.
- Cloud Identity Providers: Services like Infisign and other IAM software provide comprehensive identity management, including SSO, often supporting multiple protocols.
Key Strategies for Implementing SSO with SAML (5 Steps)
- Make Use of a Centralized Identity Provider (IdP): Choose a reliable IdP to manage user identities and authentication, making sure that there is a single source of truth or centralized access control.
- Service Provider (SP) Integration: Carefully integrate each application (SP) with the IdP, configuring SAML assertions and metadata exchange.
- Certificate Management: Securely manage digital certificates used for signing and encrypting SAML assertions, important for trust and security.
- Attribute Mapping: Accurately map user attributes between the IdP and SP, ensuring consistent and correct user information.
- Thorough Testing: Conduct comprehensive testing across various scenarios to validate SSO functionality and identify potential issues.
Choosing Between SAML and SSO for Your Business
The best choice depends on your specific needs. Here is when you need to opt for them:
- If you need a standard way to share authentication data between different systems, SAML is a good option (that said, it also supports internal usage and authentication for your company’s tech-stack).
- However, if you want to simplify the login process for your users and give them access to many applications with one login, SSO is a good versatile option that which all said EVEN supports SAML. Then what’s the difference? Well, it can be done through other different protocols too, meaning it's in some ways an umbrella term that also includes protocols like OAuth, OIDC, and FIDO.
SSO vs SAML: The Key Takeaway
For both customers and workforces, SAML vs. SSO comes with a range of benefits - for people with their software - it helps improve customer sign-ups and simplify processes. For teams, on the other hand, it improves productivity.
With Infisign’s IAM Suite and UniFed you get solutions for both customers and your team. The software comes with 6000+ APIs and SDKs, making using SSO and SAML protocols a whole lot easier. Not to mention it also enables you to use other related protocols like OAuth, OIDC, and even supports non-sso-compatible software like legacy applications.
With the benefits of Adaptive MFA, attribute-based access control, and even the capability to delegate access temporarily in a user’s absence - Infisign is the complete identity solution!
Curious to know more? Reach out for a free trial.
