What does SAML stand for in relation to federation standards?

SAML stands for Security Assertion Markup Language. It is an open standard used for exchanging authentication and authorization data between parties, particularly between an Identity Provider (IdP) and a Service Provider (SP). SAML is widely used in single sign-on (SSO) scenarios, allowing users to log in once and gain access to multiple applications without needing to re-enter credentials for each one.

The key feature of SAML is its ability to enable secure user authentication and facilitate the sharing of identity information across different security domains. This is accomplished using XML-based assertions that convey information about the user's identity and the access rights they hold, enabling seamless and secure access to services provided by different organizations.

Understanding SAML is crucial for managing cloud security, especially in environments where multiple applications or services need to interact securely. This standard helps ensure that identity information is transmitted safely between entities, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and enhancing user convenience.