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Scoping in the context of SAML is a mechanism used to refine or restrict the processing of authentication and attribute queries. This feature is particularly useful in federated identity environments, where a user's identity and authentication information might be managed across various external identity providers (IdPs). Scoping allows a service provider / client to specify which IdPs should be involved in the authentication process or from where the attributes should be sourced.
Purpose of Scoping in SAML
The main goals of using scoping in SAML include:
Controlling the IdP Selection: Directing the authentication request to specific IdPs, which can be crucial for ensuring that the authentication happens through an authorized and trusted provider.
Optimizing Network Traffic: By limiting the number of IdPs that need to process a request, scoping can reduce unnecessary network load and complexity.
Enhancing Security: By restricting the authentication process to predefined IdPs, scoping helps in mitigating potential security risks associated with unauthorized or rogue IdP instances.
Key Elements of SAML Scoping
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