Is enforcing Multifactor Authentication (MFA) a benefit of using SAML for authentication and authorization?

The assertion that SAML does not enforce Multifactor Authentication (MFA) is accurate because SAML is primarily a framework for exchanging authentication and authorization data between parties, particularly using assertions between identity providers and service providers. Within the SAML standard itself, there is no mandate for how authentication should be implemented, including the requirements for MFA.

MFA can certainly be integrated into a SAML-based environment, but it is not a built-in feature of the protocol. Instead, the implementation of MFA is dependent on the identity provider's capabilities and configuration. Therefore, while SAML can support the use of MFA by allowing an identity provider to specify its own authentication methods, it does not inherently enforce it or require it. Organizations can choose to implement MFA alongside SAML, but it is completely optional. This flexibility enables organizations to tailor their security requirements based on their specific needs, rather than being constrained by the SAML protocol itself.