What is the difference between LDAP and SAML in account management?

• A. LDAP is a directory protocol for querying directory; SAML is an authentication/authorization protocol enabling SSO between identity provider and service provider.
• B. LDAP is an identity provider; SAML is a network file system.
• C. LDAP handles encryption; SAML handles network routing.
• D. LDAP and SAML are same thing used interchangeably.

Answer: (A)

LDAP is a directory protocol used to access and manage entries in a centralized directory (like user accounts, groups, and attributes) so applications can look up identity data. SAML is a standard for exchanging authentication and authorization information between an identity provider and service providers to enable single sign-on across federated services. In short, LDAP handles where identity data lives and how to retrieve it, while SAML handles proving who you are to multiple apps in a trusted, one-login flow.