In the world of single sign-on (SSO), the most common protocols are SAML and LDAP. Both protocols are used for authentication of business applications, but there are clear differences in use cases. Still, enterprises wanting to deploy single sign-on (SSO) would do well to take advantage of a combination of both protocols to enable access to more types of IT resources without increasing IT spending, and ultimately to help achieve business goals.
1. Starting point for LDAP SSO and SAML SSO
Before in-depth comparison of these two authentication protocols, let's review the development process of the two protocols. LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) is an open standard jointly created by Tim Howes of the University of Michigan and his colleagues in the early 1990s, and it is widely used today, which shows the flexibility and powerful function of LDAP.
SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language), developed in the early 2000s, is an assertion-based authentication protocol that federates identities to web applications. The verification process of SAML starts by verifying the authenticity and validity of the identity by integrating with the Identity Provider (IdP).
Then, the server such as the Web application will allow the user to access after completing the authentication based on the XML protocol. Technically, the IdP is responsible for claiming the SAML attribute assertion and then relaying it, all over the internet and securely. Legacy domains are no longer utilized. It is worth noting that the account credentials in this process are not stored in a single server (SP). When a user has multiple different credentials, it may lead to data leakage and increase management costs.
2. Similarities and differences
Both LDAP SSO and SAML SSO are essentially the same in that they help users connect to desired IT resources. Because of this, the two protocols are often used in conjunction and have become staples of the identity management industry. Especially with the sharp increase in the usage frequency of Web applications, enterprises will also use SAML-based single sign-on solutions for Web applications in addition to core directory services.
Nonetheless, the single sign-on implementations implemented by LDAP and SAML have very different spheres of influence. LDAP focuses on facilitating local authentication and other server processes, while SAML is more about extending user credentials to cloud applications and other web applications.
There is also a conceptual difference between SAML and LDAP that is easily overlooked: most common LDAP servers act as authoritative IdPs or identity sources. In SAML, however, the SAML service is not the source of identity, but often acts as a proxy to the directory service, translating the authentication process into a SAML-based workflow.
In terms of use cases, LDAP works well with Linux based applications such as OpenVPN, Jenkins. LDAP servers are often used as identity sources, also known as Identity Provider IdPs or Microsoft Active Directory and cloud directory services that can run across systems.
The efficient operation of LDAP on the system allows enterprises to manage authentication and authorization to a large extent. However, the deployment of LDAP is technically a relatively complicated technical process, requiring administrators to complete a lot of preparatory work in advance, including tasks such as high availability, performance monitoring, and security.
In contrast, SAML is commonly used for authentication and authorization between corporate directories and web applications. Over the years, SAML has also added extensibility features to provide users with access to web applications. SAML-based solutions have traditionally been used in conjunction with core directory services. Manufacturers use SAML to develop software so that user identities can be extended from AD to a large number of Web applications, so the first generation of IDaaS came into being. It is recognized by the market for its extensive SSO support for SaaS applications such as Salesforce, SalesEasy, WorkLife, and ServiceNow , with the development of enterprise mobile social identity, IDaaS is also required to be able to bridge the local AD and enterprise social identity.
3. “1+1>2”
Since both LDAP and SAML protocols can authenticate users for different types of IT resources, the question is not which protocol to use, but how to achieve a complete single sign-on experience, such as how to connect users to Any resources needed?
Ningdun cloud directory service eliminates the need for enterprises to set up and maintain local AD accounts. At the same time, it integrates core IdP capabilities and uses flexible and powerful authentication protocols to achieve single sign-on (SSO). In addition to SAML and LDAP, the Ningdun single sign-on SSO system also supports international standard protocols such as OIDC and OAUTH2.0, as well as the self-developed EasySSO protocol, which can quickly connect to old and new applications such as self-developed and commercial procurement. When the system authenticates users, multi-factor authentication (MFA) can also be enabled to ensure that user accounts are safe and reliable, so as to enhance application access security.