What is the recommended value for the NameID in the SAML response?

The recommended value for the NameID in the SAML response is typically the user's email address. This choice is supported by the common practice in identity management and Single Sign-On (SSO) systems, as utilizing an email address as the NameID provides a unique and easily recognizable identifier for users across various systems.

Using email addresses helps streamline the authentication process by ensuring that the identifier is consistent and can be easily managed by both users and administrators. Since email addresses are widely used and are unique to each individual in an organization, they can facilitate easier user provisioning and de-provisioning within applications that rely on SAML for authentication.

In contrast, while usernames and employee IDs can serve as identifiers, they may not be as universally accessible or unique across different systems, potentially leading to confusion or mismatches during the authentication process. System names are typically associated with resources rather than individual users and do not provide a personal identifier for SSO purposes. Therefore, using an email address promotes better integration and user experience across supported applications.