SAML authentication with Microsoft Entra ID - Microsoft Entra (2024)

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Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is an open standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between an identity provider (IdP) and a service provider. SAML is an XML-based markup language for security assertions, which are statements that service providers use to make access-control decisions.

The SAML specification defines three roles:

  • The principal, generally a user
  • The identity provider (IdP)
  • The service provider (SP)

Use when

There's a need to provide a single sign-on (SSO) experience for an enterprise SAML application.

While one of most important use cases that SAML addresses is SSO, especially by extending SSO across security domains, there are other use cases (called profiles) as well.

SAML authentication with Microsoft Entra ID - Microsoft Entra (1)

Components of system

  • User: Requests a service from the application.

  • Web browser: The component that the user interacts with.

  • Web app: Enterprise application that supports SAML and uses Microsoft Entra ID as IdP.

  • Token: A SAML assertion (also known as SAML tokens) that carries sets of claims made by the IdP about the principal (user). It contains authentication information, attributes, and authorization decision statements.

  • Microsoft Entra ID: Enterprise cloud IdP that provides SSO and multifactor authentication for SAML apps. It synchronizes, maintains, and manages identity information for users while providing authentication services to relying applications.

Implement SAML authentication with Microsoft Entra ID

SAML authentication with Microsoft Entra ID - Microsoft Entra (2024)

FAQs

What is Microsoft Entra ID in Azure? ›

Microsoft Entra ID is a cloud-based identity and access management solution. It's a directory and identity management service that operates in the cloud and offers authentication and authorization services to various Microsoft services, such as Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft Azure.

Does Microsoft SSO use SAML? ›

Microsoft Entra ID creates the signing certificates to establish SAML-based federated SSO to your SaaS applications. Once you add either gallery or non-gallery applications, you'll configure the added application using the federated SSO option. See Manage certificates for federated single sign-on in Microsoft Entra ID.

How the Microsoft Identity Platform uses the SAML protocol? ›

The Microsoft identity platform uses the SAML 2.0 and other protocols to enable applications to provide a single sign-on (SSO) experience to their users. The SSO and Single Sign-Out SAML profiles of Microsoft Entra ID explain how SAML assertions, protocols, and bindings are used in the identity provider service.

What is the difference between SSO and SAML? ›

Security Assertion Mark-up Language (SAML) is an authentication standard that allows for federated identity management and can support single sign-on (SSO). SSO is an authentication scheme that allows a user to log in with a single ID and password to any independent or federated software systems.

Is Microsoft Entra replacing Azure AD? ›

Microsoft Entra ID is the new name for Azure AD. The names Azure Active Directory, Azure AD, and AAD are replaced with Microsoft Entra ID. Microsoft Entra is the name for the product family of identity and network access solutions.

Is Microsoft Entra the same as Azure AD? ›

Microsoft Entra ID is the new name for Azure AD. All licensing and functionality remain the same.

Does Microsoft use SAML or OAuth? ›

Authorization is sometimes shortened to AuthZ. The Microsoft identity platform uses the OAuth 2.0 protocol for handling authorization.

What is required for SAML authentication? ›

SAML uses a claims-based authentication workflow. First, when a user tries to access a site, the service provider asks the identity provider to authenticate the user. Then, the service provider uses the SAML assertion issued by the identity provider to grant the user access.

Can SAML be used for authentication? ›

Security Assertion Markup Language, or SAML, is a standardized way to tell external applications and services that a user is who they say they are. SAML makes single sign-on (SSO) technology possible by providing a way to authenticate a user once and then communicate that authentication to multiple applications.

What is Microsoft Identity platform authentication type? ›

The Microsoft identity platform supports authentication for different kinds of modern application architectures. All of the architectures are based on the industry-standard protocols OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect.

What is the difference between SAML and oauth2? ›

What Is the Difference Between SAML and OAuth? SAML is designed for authentication and authorization while OAuth was built solely for authorization. Understanding the different purposes of each is key to understanding how an access management system works.

What is Microsoft SAML? ›

Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is an open standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between an identity provider (IdP) and a service provider. SAML is an XML-based markup language for security assertions, which are statements that service providers use to make access-control decisions.

Is OAuth better than SAML? ›

SAML supports both user authentication and authorization while OAuth is only for authorization. If the business priority is confirming user identity, SAML is the only choice. If the business priority is securely and easily managing user privileges, OAuth may be the better choice.

What are the different types of SAML authentication? ›

The three distinct types of SAML Assertions are authentication, attribute, and authorization decisions. Authentication assertions help verify the identification of a user and provide the time a user logs in and which method of authentication is used (for example, password, MFA, Kerbeos, etc.)

How do I set up SAML? ›

To configure SAML single sign-on from Authentication policies:
  1. Go to admin.atlassian.com. ...
  2. Select Security > Authentication policies.
  3. Select Edit for the policy you want to configure.
  4. When you select Use SAML single sign-on, we redirect you from the authentication policy to the SAML SSO configuration page.

Where do I find my Microsoft Entra ID? ›

Find tenant ID through the Microsoft Entra admin center

Sign in to the Microsoft Entra admin center as at least a Global Reader. Browse to Identity > Overview > Properties.

What is the use of Microsoft Entra ID? ›

IT admins use Microsoft Entra ID to control access to apps and app resources, based on business requirements. For example, as an IT admin, you can use Microsoft Entra ID to require multi-factor authentication when accessing important organizational resources.

What is the meaning of Entra ID? ›

June 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Microsoft Entra ID (formerly known as Microsoft Azure Active Directory or Azure AD) is a cloud-based identity and access management (IAM) solution.

What is Microsoft Entra verified ID? ›

This solution automates verification of identity credentials and claims. The verifier is an organization that requests proof and, upon receipt, verifies that the claims in the credentials satisfy requirements.

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