SAML2.0 and OAuth2.0 Simplified
What is SAML2.0?
Okay! Let’s imagine you’re going to a big amusement park. At the entrance, there’s a ticket booth where you show your ID and get a special wristband. This wristband lets you go on all the rides without having to show your ID again and again.
In the digital world, we have something similar called SAML 2.0. Instead of a wristband, it gives you a special “digital ticket” after you prove who you are (like logging in). With this “digital ticket”, you can access different websites and services without having to log in over and over.
So, SAML 2.0 is like the system that gives you the wristband, making sure you have fun without the hassle of showing your ID every time you want to go on a ride! 🎢🎟️
Now, what is OAuth2.0?
Imagine you’re at the same amusement park, but this time, instead of just rides, there are also special game booths. Now, instead of just a wristband, there’s a new system. You go to a special booth (let’s call it the “Permission Booth”) and show your ID. This booth doesn’t just give you a wristband, but also a special “key card”.
Now, when you go to a game booth, instead of playing the game directly, you show them this key card. The game booth will quickly check with the Permission Booth to see if you’re allowed to play. The Permission Booth says “Yep, they’re good!” and you get to play the game.
With OAuth2 in the digital world, websites and apps can ask another trusted service (like the Permission Booth) if you have permission to use them. You only log in once at the trusted service, get your “key card”, and then you can use multiple apps and websites without logging in again, as long as they trust the Permission Booth.
So, OAuth2 is like the system that gives you a key card to easily play games at different booths without having to prove yourself again and again. 🎮🔑
What’s the difference between SAML2.0 and OAuth2.0? They seem similar.
You’re right; on the surface, SAML 2.0 and OAuth2.0 do seem similar because they both deal with authentication (proving who you are) and authorization (what you’re allowed to do). However, there are some key differences:
Purpose:
- SAML 2.0: It’s mainly about authentication. It ensures that you are who you say you are. Once you’re authenticated, you get a “digital ticket” (SAML assertion) that you can use to access other services.
- OAuth2.0: It’s more about authorization. It allows one application to access certain parts of another application on your behalf. For example, allowing a photo printing service to access your photos on a cloud storage, without giving them your cloud storage password.
Format:
- SAML 2.0: Uses XML format for its messages.
- OAuth2.0: Uses JSON format and is generally considered to be more lightweight.
Use Cases:
- SAML 2.0: Often used for Single Sign-On (SSO) between businesses. It means you log in once and can access various services.
- OAuth2.0: Often used to give apps limited access to user data without exposing user credentials. Like when a mobile app asks for permission to access your camera or contacts.
Flow:
- SAML 2.0: You authenticate with a central service (Identity Provider) and get a SAML assertion (like a digital ticket). You present this assertion to access other services.
- OAuth2.0: You authenticate with a central service (Authorization Server) and get an access token. You present this token to access resources or services. Sometimes, there’s also a “refresh token” to get new access tokens without logging in again.
Going back to the amusement park analogy:
- SAML 2.0 is like getting a wristband after showing your ID. You can then access all the rides because they trust the wristband system.
- OAuth2.0 is like getting a key card that can be used at game booths. Each booth might allow you to play different games based on what permissions your card has.
In summary, while they both deal with identity and access, SAML is more about proving who you are across multiple services, while OAuth is about granting permissions to apps to do specific things on your behalf.