In the context of AWS, what does SAML stand for?

SAML stands for Security Assertion Markup Language, which is an open standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between parties, specifically between an identity provider and a service provider. In the context of AWS, SAML is used to facilitate Single Sign-On (SSO) for applications and services by enabling federated authentication.

When implementing SSO in AWS, SAML allows users to authenticate with an identity provider (like Active Directory or another identity service) and obtain a SAML assertion. This assertion is then used to access AWS services without having to log in again, which enhances both user experience and security measures.

This integration is particularly useful for organizations that need to manage user access across multiple applications while streamlining the login process for their employees. This capability supports the broader concept of federation in cloud services, enabling seamless access management across various applications and systems.