What is SAML best used for?

SAML, or Security Assertion Markup Language, is best utilized for the exchange of authentication and authorization data between an identity provider (IdP) and a service provider (SP). This is primarily because SAML is designed to facilitate Single Sign-On (SSO) capabilities across different domains, allowing users to log in once and gain access to multiple applications without having to re-enter their credentials.

The architecture of SAML involves the IdP authenticating users and then sending assertions to the SP to confirm the user's identity and the attributes associated with that user. This process streamlines access management and enhances security by reducing the number of login credentials a user needs to maintain. In enterprise environments, where users may need to interact with multiple services, SAML provides a means to securely broker identity information between these services and centralize user authentication.

In contrast, other options mention aspects like consumer apps, local application security, or user management solutions, which do not align with SAML's primary function of securely exchanging identity information across different systems. Thus, the focus on the data exchange aspect between identity and service providers is what makes this choice the most suitable.