In March 2005, SAML 2.0 was ratified as an official OASIS industry standard and is now backed by vendors and organizations around the world as one of the premier industry standards for deploying and managing open identity-based applications. Used in both government and private sectors, SAML 2.0 represents a significant step toward the convergence of identity standards and moving forward.

SAML 2.0 specification allows consumers and users of Internet-based services and e-commerce applications to authenticate and sign on to a network or domain once from any device and then visit or take part in services from multiple Web sites without the need for re-authentication. This federated, single sign-on approach ensures both greater security for the service provider and greater privacy for the user.

For more information about the KANTARA INITIATIVE: http://kantarainitiative.org/

For more information about the KANTARA Interoperability Certification Program: http://kantarainitiative.org/confluence/display/certification/ Interoperability+Certification+Program