What occurs after a user is redirected to their SAML IdP during authentication?

When a user is redirected to their SAML IdP (Identity Provider) during the authentication process, the primary action that takes place is the signing in of the user. After being redirected, the user is prompted to enter their login credentials, and upon successful authentication, the IdP generates a SAML response. This SAML response contains assertions regarding the user's identity and attributes, which are then sent back to the Service Provider (in this case, Zscaler) to establish a secure and validated session.

The process typically involves several key steps. First, the user's credentials are validated by the IdP. If the credentials are correct, the IdP creates the SAML response, often incorporating information such as user roles or group memberships, which helps the Service Provider make authorization decisions. This seamless flow allows the user to be authenticated without entering credentials multiple times for different services, enhancing the user experience and streamlining access to resources.

In comparison, while secondary authentication may be a possibility in some environments, it is not a guaranteed outcome immediately after redirection to the IdP. Similarly, logging out of all other sessions or being required to restart the Zscaler Client Connector do not typically follow the redirection process, as they pertain to separate aspects of