- A
Local authentication on each application with synchronized passwords
Why wrong: This still requires each application to maintain its own identity store, even if passwords are synchronized. It does not create a shared trust relationship with the corporate identity provider.
- B
Federation with single sign-on using the corporate identity provider
Federation allows one organization to trust authentication performed by another identity provider. When combined with single sign-on, the user signs in once and then accesses multiple applications without repeated logins. This is exactly what the scenario describes, especially across separate SaaS services.
- C
Network access control using 802.1X authentication
Why wrong: Network access control can verify device or user identity at the network edge, but it does not provide the application-level trust relationship described here. It also does not by itself create SSO across SaaS apps.
- D
Role-based access control on the file server
Why wrong: RBAC controls what authenticated users can access, but it does not define how different applications trust one login event. The question is about authentication architecture, not authorization alone.
Quick Answer
The answer is federation with single sign-on using the corporate identity provider. This architecture is correct because it allows a user to authenticate once against a central identity provider (IdP), which then issues a trusted security token—such as a SAML assertion or an OIDC token—that external SaaS applications accept without requiring separate user databases. On the Security+ SY0-701 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how federation enables seamless authentication across multiple services, often appearing in questions about identity and access management. A common trap is confusing federation with simple SSO; remember that federation specifically involves trust relationships between separate domains or organizations, not just a single network. For a memory tip, think of federation as a “trust passport”—you get stamped once at your home IdP, and every SaaS app in the federation honors that stamp without asking for your ID again.
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.
Employees sign in once to the corporate portal and then open email, the ticketing system, and an HR application without entering credentials again. The external SaaS providers should trust the company's identity provider rather than creating separate user databases. What architecture is being used?
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
Federation with single sign-on using the corporate identity provider
This scenario describes federation with single sign-on (SSO), where the corporate identity provider (IdP) authenticates the user once and issues a security token (e.g., SAML assertion or OIDC token) that external SaaS providers trust. This eliminates the need for separate user databases in each application and allows seamless access across multiple services without re-entering credentials.
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.
- ✗
Local authentication on each application with synchronized passwords
Why it's wrong here
This still requires each application to maintain its own identity store, even if passwords are synchronized. It does not create a shared trust relationship with the corporate identity provider.
- ✓
Federation with single sign-on using the corporate identity provider
Why this is correct
Federation allows one organization to trust authentication performed by another identity provider. When combined with single sign-on, the user signs in once and then accesses multiple applications without repeated logins. This is exactly what the scenario describes, especially across separate SaaS services.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Network access control using 802.1X authentication
Why it's wrong here
Network access control can verify device or user identity at the network edge, but it does not provide the application-level trust relationship described here. It also does not by itself create SSO across SaaS apps.
- ✗
Role-based access control on the file server
Why it's wrong here
RBAC controls what authenticated users can access, but it does not define how different applications trust one login event. The question is about authentication architecture, not authorization alone.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'single sign-on' with 'synchronized passwords' (Option A) or think that any centralized authentication mechanism (like 802.1X) can replace federated identity for external SaaS trust.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Federation with SSO typically uses protocols like SAML 2.0, OAuth 2.0, or OpenID Connect (OIDC) to exchange authentication and authorization data between the corporate IdP (e.g., Azure AD, Okta) and the SaaS provider's service provider (SP). The IdP signs a SAML assertion containing the user's identity and attributes; the SP validates the signature using the IdP's public certificate, establishing trust without sharing passwords. A real-world nuance: if the SaaS provider does not support the same federation protocol (e.g., SAML vs. OIDC), an identity bridge or federation gateway may be needed to translate tokens.
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 security analyst at a medium-sized enterprise encounters this scenario during an investigation or architecture review. The correct answer reflects best practice for the specific threat or control described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Security exam questions test whether you can match controls to threats in context — not just recall definitions.
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: Federation with single sign-on using the corporate identity provider — This scenario describes federation with single sign-on (SSO), where the corporate identity provider (IdP) authenticates the user once and issues a security token (e.g., SAML assertion or OIDC token) that external SaaS providers trust. This eliminates the need for separate user databases in each application and allows seamless access across multiple services without re-entering credentials.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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