---
title: "SAML SSO"
slug: "saml-sso"
tags: ["Totara Platform", "Explainer", "Site Administrator"]
updated: 2024-11-21T09:45:23Z
published: 2024-11-21T09:45:23Z
canonical: "totara.help/saml-sso"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://totara.help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# What is SAML SSO?

Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) Single Sign-On (SSO) is a way for a user to access multiple applications with just one set of login credentials. SAML provides the following benefits:

- SAML improves the user experience, making it more convenient for users to access multiple sites and applications.
- SAML provides a higher level of security than traditional username and password authentication. The identity provider handles the authentication, which helps to prevent phishing attacks and password theft.
- SAML eliminates the need for users to maintain multiple sets of login credentials, which can reduce the burden on IT administrators who are responsible for managing user accounts.
- IT administrators can centrally manage access to applications, providing greater control and visibility into user activity across the organisation.

Totara's SAML SSO supports encrypted assertions from identity providers.

## Next steps

- [Configure SAML SSO](/18/docs/configure-saml-sso)

Join the [Totara Community](https://totara.community/) for more resources to help you get the most out of Totara.

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## Related

- [Authentication](/authentication.md)
- [Available authentication methods](/available-authentication-methods.md)