Security Assertion Markup Language (
SAML, pronounced
sam-el) is an
XML-based,
open-standard data format for exchanging
authentication and
authorization data between parties, in particular, between an
identity provider and a
service provider. SAML is a product of the
OASIS Security Services Technical Committee. SAML dates from 2001; the most recent major update of SAML was published in 2005, but protocol enhancements have steadily been added through additional, optional standards.