Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML)

What is Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML)?

SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is an open standard that enables secure, cross-domain Single Sign-On between separate software systems.

SAML works by allowing one system (the Service Provider) to trust the authentication performed by another system (the Identity Provider). This means users can authenticate just once and then access multiple services without re-entering their credentials for each one.

How does SAML authentication work?

The basic SAML authentication flow works as follows:

1. Stage 1: The user opens their browser and navigates to MIDAS.
2. Stage 2: The browser contacts the Identity Provider to check whether the user is already authenticated.
3. Stage 3: If the user is not yet authenticated, the Identity Provider displays a sign-in screen and authenticates them. Once authenticated, the user is seamlessly signed in to MIDAS.

SAML and MIDAS

MIDAS booking systems (v4.40 or later) offer seamless SSO support through authentication with SAML 2.0 Identity Providers. This allows your users to be automatically signed in to the booking software whenever they access MIDAS through their web browser, using the credentials they already have.