Question 1mediummultiple choice
Full question →mediummultiple choiceObjective-mapped
A company wants employees to sign in once to access several SaaS applications, but it also wants to require MFA only when users connect from unmanaged devices or outside the corporate network. Which architecture best supports this goal?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Good practice is not just finding the correct option. The wrong answers often show the exact trap the exam wants you to fall into.
A
Distractor review
Create separate usernames and passwords for each SaaS application and disable browser-based token sharing.
This increases password sprawl and user friction. It does not provide single sign-on or conditional access based on device trust or location.
B
Best answer
Implement federated identity with single sign-on and conditional access policies tied to device posture and network location.
Federation lets the organization use one identity provider for multiple SaaS applications, which enables single sign-on. Conditional access then adds policy-based decisions such as requiring MFA for unmanaged devices or external access. This combination is both more secure and more user-friendly than separate credentials or blanket MFA for every sign-in.
C
Distractor review
Use local accounts in each SaaS application and rotate passwords every 30 days.
Local accounts prevent centralized identity control and make lifecycle management harder. Password rotation alone does not deliver SSO or adaptive access controls.
D
Distractor review
Grant all employees the same access role to simplify authentication and reduce support tickets.
A single broad role violates least privilege and does not address access policy based on device trust, location, or application need.
Common exam trap
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Technical deep dive
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Authentication checks who the user is.
- Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
- Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
- AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
- Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
- Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
- Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
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More questions from this exam
Keep practising from the same exam bank, or move into a focused topic page if this question exposed a weak area.
Question 1
A laptop is suspected of being used in a malware incident. It is still powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. What should the responder do before shutting it down?
Question 2
An employee reports a ransomware note on a file server. The server is still powered on, shares are still being accessed, and management wants service restored as quickly as possible. What should the incident response team do first?
Question 3
An employee reports a ransomware note on a finance laptop. The laptop is still powered on, connected to Wi-Fi, and the user says they were just working in a spreadsheet. Management wants the fastest safe response that also preserves evidence. What should the responder do first?
Question 4
You are handed a company laptop suspected in an insider theft case. Legal says the evidence may be needed in court. Which action best preserves admissibility?
Question 5
A developer wants to reduce the risk of SQL injection in a new customer search form. Which two changes are the best mitigations? Select two.
Question 6
A branch office uses a flat LAN, and a compromise on one user workstation could spread quickly to finance systems. Management wants finance workstations isolated from general users, but finance staff still need access to a central finance application and network printer. What is the best design change?
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Authentication checks who the user is.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement federated identity with single sign-on and conditional access policies tied to device posture and network location. — Federated identity with SSO is the right architectural fit because it centralizes authentication while allowing SaaS applications to trust the organization’s identity provider. Conditional access adds context-aware enforcement, such as prompting for MFA when the sign-in comes from an unmanaged device or an outside network. That combination reduces password fatigue, improves administration, and gives the security team a consistent control point for policy enforcement. Why others are wrong: Option A creates fragmented authentication and does not support unified policy enforcement. Option C is operationally expensive and weak from a governance standpoint because every application becomes its own identity silo. Option D sacrifices least privilege and still fails to meet the required conditional access behavior. The selected architecture is the only one that satisfies both usability and security goals.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Then try more questions from the same exam bank and focus on understanding why the wrong options are tempting.
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