The answer is Single Sign-On (SSO). This technology is the correct choice because it allows users to authenticate once and then access multiple SaaS applications without re-entering credentials, typically through a trusted session established via SAML assertions or OAuth tokens. On the CISSP exam, this question tests your understanding of identity and access management (IAM) controls, specifically how SSO reduces password fatigue and improves security by centralizing authentication. A common trap is confusing SSO with federated identity management—while related, SSO focuses on a single domain of trust, whereas federation extends across organizations. Remember the memory tip: “One key, many doors”—SSO is the single key that unlocks all authorized SaaS apps.
CISSP Identity and Access Management Practice Question
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. 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.
A company wants employees to access multiple SaaS applications using a single set of credentials. Which technology should be deployed?
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 (SSO)
Single sign-on (SSO) enables users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple SaaS applications without re-entering credentials. It works by establishing a trusted session (often via SAML assertions or OAuth tokens) that is shared across applications, reducing password fatigue and improving user experience. This directly meets the requirement for a single set of credentials across multiple SaaS apps.
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 (SSO)
Why this is correct
SSO enables users to authenticate once and access multiple applications without re-entering credentials.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
LDAP directory service
Why it's wrong here
LDAP is a protocol for accessing directory services, not a user-facing SSO solution.
✗
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Why it's wrong here
MFA adds security but does not provide single sign-on across applications.
✗
Federated identity management
Why it's wrong here
Federation allows sharing identity across domains but SSO is the user experience; federation enables SSO.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse federated identity management with SSO, but federation is designed for cross-organizational trust (e.g., using SAML between different companies), whereas SSO is the correct answer for a single organization's internal multi-application access with one credential set.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SSO relies on a central authentication service (e.g., using SAML 2.0 or OAuth 2.0) that issues a token or cookie after initial login; subsequent access to other SaaS apps validates this token without re-prompting for credentials. Under the hood, the session is often maintained via a session cookie with a secure, HttpOnly flag, and the token may contain claims about the user's identity and attributes. In a real-world scenario, if the token expires or is revoked, all SaaS sessions are simultaneously invalidated, which is a critical security consideration.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CISSP question in full detail.
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Single sign-on (SSO) — Single sign-on (SSO) enables users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple SaaS applications without re-entering credentials. It works by establishing a trusted session (often via SAML assertions or OAuth tokens) that is shared across applications, reducing password fatigue and improving user experience. This directly meets the requirement for a single set of credentials across multiple SaaS apps.
What should I do if I get this CISSP 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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Question Discussion
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