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350-701 Practice Question: A security administrator is tasked with…
A security administrator is tasked with implementing a solution that provides single sign-on (SSO) for users accessing multiple enterprise applications. The solution must support SAML 2.0 and integrate with the existing Microsoft Active Directory. Which component is essential for this architecture?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between the IdP and SP roles in SAML, and the trap here is that candidates mistakenly choose 'Service Provider' thinking it is the main component for SSO, when in fact the IdP is the central authentication authority that enables SSO across multiple SPs.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Identity Provider (IdP)
An Identity Provider (IdP) is the essential component that authenticates users against Microsoft Active Directory and issues SAML 2.0 assertions to enable single sign-on (SSO) across multiple enterprise applications. The IdP acts as the trusted source of identity, validating credentials and generating signed SAML tokens that Service Providers (SPs) accept without requiring separate logins.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Certificate Authority (CA)
Why it's wrong here
A CA issues certificates but does not handle authentication directly.
- ✗
RADIUS server
Why it's wrong here
RADIUS is used for network access authentication, not for web SSO.
- ✓
Identity Provider (IdP)
Why this is correct
The IdP authenticates users and generates SAML assertions for SSO.
- ✗
Service Provider (SP)
Why it's wrong here
The SP relies on the IdP for authentication; it is not the central component.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-701 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-701 exam.