SAML vs. OpenID (OIDC): What's the Difference?

Summary

Foreign, OpenID Connect, and SAML are both Single Sign-On (SSO) protocols. SAML is a mature protocol that securely federates identity for authentication and authorization in web apps but can be complex to implement. OpenID Connect is simpler, high-performance, and focuses on authentication, making it popular for mobile apps. Both protocols can be used together with other standards depending on the use case. Jumpcloud offers both SAML and OpenID configurations for SSO implementation.

Takeaways

• 🔐 **SAML and OpenID Connect are both SSO protocols**: They facilitate single sign-on for users.
• 🤝 **SAML focuses on identity federation**: It securely federates identity for authentication and authorization into web apps.
• 🛠️ **SAML can be complex to implement**: It requires XML schemas and can be more challenging for service providers.
• 📑 **SAML uses XML for user information**: It transmits granular user data for access control and permissions.
• 📱 **OpenID is lightweight and high-performance**: It's simpler for service providers to implement, focusing solely on authentication.
• 📲 **OpenID is popular for mobile apps**: It manages sign-in flows and assertions efficiently for mobile applications.
• 🔒 **SAML secures credentials**: Passwords are neither sent over the wire nor stored with service providers.
• 🔗 **SAML authorizes resource access**: It signs users in with one set of credentials and authorizes access between IDP and SP.
• 🌐 **SAML is web-centric**: It uses XML documents and web browsers to transmit assertions about the user.
• 🔄 **OpenID is based on OAuth 2.0**: It uses REST and JSON for message flows, making it accessible via APIs.
• 🆔 **OpenID uses ID tokens**: It transmits user information as claims, which are OpenID's equivalent to SAML's assertions.
• 🤖 **Both protocols can coexist**: They can be used in combination with other standards depending on the use case.
• 🚀 **JumpCloud supports both**: Offers configurations for both SAML and OpenID, along with connectors for SSO implementation.

Q & A

What are the primary uses of Foreign, Open ID Connect, and SAML?

Foreign, Open ID Connect, and SAML are primarily used for single sign-on (SSO) to facilitate the authentication process across different platforms and applications.

How does SAML contribute to SSO?

SAML allows an identity provider (IDP) to securely federate identity for authentication and authorization into web applications.

What is the complexity level of implementing SAML for service providers?

SAML can be more difficult for service providers (SPs) to implement, and some even charge for it due to its complexity.

What is the role of XML schemas in SAML?

XML schemas are used in SAML to transmit user information, allowing for granular management of access control and permissions.

Why might OpenID be simpler for SPs to implement than SAML?

OpenID is simpler for SPs to implement because it is lightweight and high performance, focusing solely on authentication.

What is the primary focus of OpenID Connect?

OpenID Connect is primarily focused on authentication and is popular for managing sign-in flows and assertions for mobile applications.

How does SAML handle the transmission of passwords?

SAML ensures that passwords are not sent over the wire or stored with service providers, enhancing security.

What is the role of XML documents in SAML?

XML documents in SAML transmit assertions about the user, including who they are and how that information was issued.

How does OpenID Connect differ from SAML in terms of user information transmission?

OpenID Connect uses ID tokens to transmit information or claims about the user, as opposed to SAML's XML documents.

What is the significance of claims in OpenID Connect?

Claims in OpenID Connect are equivalent to SAML assertions and are used to transmit user identity information.

Can SAML and OpenID Connect be used together?

Yes, SAML and OpenID Connect can be used in combination with other authentication standards depending on the use case.

What does Jumpcloud offer regarding SSO implementation?

Jumpcloud offers both SAML and OpenID configurations for SSO implementation, as well as pre-built and custom connectors.

Outlines

00:00

🔐 Single Sign-On (SSO) Protocols: SAML vs. OpenID Connect

This paragraph discusses the differences between SAML and OpenID Connect, two protocols used for Single Sign-On (SSO). SAML allows for secure identity federation for authentication and authorization into web apps, but can be more complex for Service Providers (SPs) to implement due to its reliance on XML schemas. OpenID Connect, on the other hand, is simpler and more lightweight, focusing solely on authentication, making it popular for mobile applications. While SAML is a mature protocol that does not transmit passwords and uses XML documents for assertions, OpenID is based on OAuth 2.0 and uses REST and JSON for message flows, transmitting user information as claims. Both protocols can be used in combination with other standards depending on the use case.

Keywords

💡Single Sign-On (SSO)

Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication process that allows a user to access multiple applications with one set of login credentials. It simplifies the user experience by reducing the need to remember multiple passwords. In the context of the video, SSO is the main theme as it discusses different protocols that facilitate this process, such as SAML and OpenID Connect.

💡Identity Provider (IDP)

An Identity Provider (IDP) is a service that creates, maintains, and manages the digital identities of users and provides authentication services to other services, known as Service Providers. In the script, IDPs are mentioned as the entities that securely federate identity for authentication and authorization into web apps using SAML.

💡Service Provider (SP)

A Service Provider (SP) is an application service that relies on an Identity Provider for authenticating users. The script discusses the technical differences between SAML and OpenID Connect in terms of implementation complexity for SPs, with OpenID Connect being simpler and more lightweight.

💡SAML

SAML stands for Security Assertion Markup Language. It is a standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between parties, typically between an Identity Provider and a Service Provider. The script highlights that SAML can be more complex to implement due to its use of XML schemas and is widely used for secure SSO in web applications.

💡OpenID Connect

OpenID Connect is an authentication layer that is built on top of the OAuth 2.0 protocol. It allows clients to verify the identity of an end-user based on the authentication performed by an authorization server. The script explains that OpenID Connect is simpler for Service Providers to implement and is popular for managing sign-ins and assertions in mobile applications.

💡OAuth 2.0

OAuth 2.0 is an authorization framework that enables applications to obtain limited access to user accounts on an HTTP service. It is the foundation for OpenID Connect, as mentioned in the script, and is used for secure authorization by allowing direct calls between the Relying Party and the OpenID Provider.

💡Relying Party (RP)

A Relying Party (RP) is a client application that relies on an OpenID Provider to authenticate users. In the context of the script, RPs are part of the OpenID Connect protocol where users are redirected from the RP to the OpenID Provider for authentication.

💡OpenID Provider (OP)

An OpenID Provider (OP) is a server that issues assertions to Relying Parties about the authentication status of an end user. The script explains that there are direct calls between the RP and OP using REST and JSON message flows, which is a key difference from SAML.

💡XML Schemas

XML Schemas are used to define the structure, content, and semantics of XML documents. In the script, XML schemas are mentioned as a requirement for SAML, which adds complexity to the implementation process as they are used to transmit user information.

💡ID Tokens

ID Tokens are a type of token used by OpenID Connect to transmit information or claims about the user. The script contrasts ID Tokens with SAML's XML documents, indicating that ID Tokens are a lighter and more modern approach to transmitting user information.

💡Claims

Claims in the context of OpenID Connect are statements of information about an entity (like a user) made by one party (like an OpenID Provider) and intended for use by another party (like a Relying Party). The script mentions claims as OpenID's equivalent to SAML assertions, showing how both protocols handle identity information.

Highlights

Foreign, Open ID Connect and SAML are both used for single sign-on (SSO).

SAML allows an identity provider (IDP) to federate identity for authentication and authorization into web apps.

SAML can be more difficult for service providers (SPs) to implement.

SAML requires XML schemas to transmit user information, which can be granular for managing access control.

OpenID is simpler for SPs to implement because it's lightweight and high-performance.

OpenID is focused only on authentication, making it popular for managing sign-in flows and assertions for mobile applications.

SAML is a widely used, mature SSO protocol.

Passwords aren't sent over the wire or stored with SPs in SAML.

SAML signs users in with one set of credentials and can authorize access to resources between the IDP and the SP.

XML documents transmit assertions about the user in SAML.

Web browsers help to make SAML SSO happen.

OpenID is based on the OAuth 2.0 standard and works differently from SAML.

Users are redirected from the relying party (RP) to the OpenID provider (OP) in OpenID.

OpenID uses REST and JSON message flows for communication between the RP and OP.

ID tokens transmit information or claims about the user in OpenID, as opposed to SAML's XML documents.

Claims in OpenID are equivalent to SAML assertions.

OpenID can be used for both websites and applications due to its flexibility in identity information release.

Both SAML and OpenID are authentication protocols and can be used in combination with other standards depending on the use case.

The choice between SAML and OpenID comes down to technical requirements, applications used, and available resources.

JumpCloud offers both SAML and OpenID configurations for SSO implementation, along with pre-built and custom connectors.

Transcripts

foreign

open ID connect and saml are both used

for single sign-on or SSO and the sign

in process is similar however there are

distinct technical differences to assess

before you begin your project

saml allows an identity provider or IDP

to securely Federate identity for

authentication and authorization into

web apps saml can be more difficult for

service providers or SPS to implement

and some even charge for it it requires

XML schemas to transmit user information

that aspect can be very granular for

managing access control and permissions

but it also adds some complexity

that's where openid comes in it can be

simpler for SPS to implement because

it's lightweight and high performance

it's only focused on authentication that

makes it a popular choice for managing

sign inflows and assertions for mobile

applications

samla is a widely used mature SSO

protocol passwords aren't sent over the

wire or stored with SPS it signs users

in with one set of credentials but also

can authorize access to resources

between the IDP and the SP

XML documents transmit assertions about

the user who they are and how that

information was issued web browsers help

to make this happen and saml is always

going to be used for websites

openid is based on the oauth 2.0

standard and works a bit differently

users are redirected from the relying

party RP to the open ID provider op as

opposed to idps and SPS there are direct

calls between the RP and op using rest

and Json message flows that are

accessible using apis ID tokens transmit

information or claims about the user

versus it being contained in saml's XML

documents claims are open IDs equivalent

to saml assertions the difference in how

identity information is released between

the protocols means that open ID can be

used for both websites and applications

both saml and open ID are authentication

protocols and it's not a binary choice

they can be used in combination with

other authentication standards depending

on the use case for example a subject

matter expert within the healthcare

industry would use saml for secure

application portal access but a mobile

app would benefit from the efficiencies

of open ID the choice comes down to your

technical requirements what applications

your organization is using and the

resources that are available to

implement SSO jumpcloud offers both saml

and open ID configurations for SSO

implementation as well as pre-built and

custom connectors learn more at the link

in the description below