- A
Single sign-on
Single sign-on lets a user authenticate once and reuse that session for multiple approved applications. It improves usability while reducing password fatigue and repeated logins.
- B
Identity federation
Identity federation allows one trusted identity provider to supply authentication to other services. This is the architecture that lets SaaS apps accept a corporate login from another system.
- C
Network address translation
Why wrong: NAT changes IP addressing for network traffic, but it does not integrate identity systems. It has no role in letting users access multiple SaaS apps with one login.
- D
Port forwarding
Why wrong: Port forwarding exposes a service through a different network path, but it does not provide authentication federation. It is a networking function, not an identity function.
- E
Full-disk encryption
Why wrong: Disk encryption protects data at rest on a device, but it does not help users access multiple cloud applications with one set of credentials. It solves a different security problem.
SY0-701 Security Architecture Practice Question
This SY0-701 practice question tests your understanding of security architecture. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
An organization wants employees to sign in once and then access several SaaS applications without repeated logins. Which two technologies make this possible? Select two.
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
Single sign-on
Single sign-on (SSO) allows a user to authenticate once and then access multiple SaaS applications without re-entering credentials. It works by establishing a trusted session (often via SAML assertions or OIDC tokens) that is presented to each application, eliminating repeated logins. This directly meets the requirement for a single authentication event granting access to several services.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
Single sign-on
Why this is correct
Single sign-on lets a user authenticate once and reuse that session for multiple approved applications. It improves usability while reducing password fatigue and repeated logins.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Identity federation
Why this is correct
Identity federation allows one trusted identity provider to supply authentication to other services. This is the architecture that lets SaaS apps accept a corporate login from another system.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Network address translation
- ✗
Port forwarding
Why it's wrong here
Port forwarding exposes a service through a different network path, but it does not provide authentication federation. It is a networking function, not an identity function.
- ✗
Full-disk encryption
Why it's wrong here
Disk encryption protects data at rest on a device, but it does not help users access multiple cloud applications with one set of credentials. It solves a different security problem.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA often tests the distinction between SSO (which handles authentication within a single domain) and identity federation (which extends SSO across different trust domains), leading candidates to pick only one when both are required for the scenario.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSO typically relies on a centralized identity provider (IdP) that issues a signed token (e.g., a SAML assertion or JWT) containing the user's identity and attributes. The service provider (SP) trusts the IdP's signature, so the user is automatically logged in without presenting credentials again. Identity federation extends this by establishing trust relationships between different organizations' IdPs, enabling cross-domain SSO (e.g., using SAML metadata exchanges or OpenID Connect discovery).
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A developer is choosing between AES-256 (symmetric) and RSA-2048 (asymmetric) for encrypting a large file that will be sent to a partner. Symmetric encryption is fast but requires key exchange; asymmetric is slower but solves the key distribution problem. A hybrid approach — encrypt the file with AES, encrypt the AES key with RSA — is standard. Questions like this test whether you understand when each approach applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SY0-701 question test?
Security Architecture — This question tests Security Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Single sign-on — Single sign-on (SSO) allows a user to authenticate once and then access multiple SaaS applications without re-entering credentials. It works by establishing a trusted session (often via SAML assertions or OIDC tokens) that is presented to each application, eliminating repeated logins. This directly meets the requirement for a single authentication event granting access to several services.
What should I do if I get this SY0-701 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This SY0-701 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 SY0-701 exam.
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