ISC Identity And Access Management Architecture Practice Question
What is the primary architectural purpose of a 'Security Token Service' (STS) in a federated environment?
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
✓
To mediate trust between different security domains.
An STS acts as the central issuing authority that validates incoming requests and issues security tokens (SAML, JWT) for access to downstream services.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
To replace the directory service.
Why it's wrong here
The directory is the source of truth; the STS is the issuance mechanism.
- ✗
To store all user passwords.
Why it's wrong here
STS does not necessarily store passwords; it acts as a broker.
- ✗
To manage network traffic routing.
Why it's wrong here
Traffic management is a load balancer/network function.
- ✓
To mediate trust between different security domains.
Why this is correct
STS is the foundation of identity federation.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed August 2026 · checked against the official (ISC)² exam blueprint
This ISC practice question is part of Courseiva's free (ISC)² 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 ISC exam.