Quick Answer
The answer is SAML 2.0, the most appropriate protocol for federated identity with single logout and attribute exchange. SAML 2.0 is correct because it natively supports Single Logout (SLO) as a core feature, allowing a logout from one service provider to terminate sessions across all participating partners, and it uses XML-based assertions to securely exchange user attributes between the identity provider and service provider. On the CISSP exam, this tests your understanding of federated identity management within the Identity and Access Management domain, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must distinguish SAML from OAuth or OpenID Connect—common traps include confusing SAML’s enterprise-focused SLO with OAuth’s lack of session management. Remember the mnemonic: SAML SLO: Single Logout is a core, not optional, feature.
This CISSP practice question tests your understanding of identity and access management. Compare every option against the stated constraints before choosing — the best answer satisfies all requirements, not just the most obvious one. 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 is implementing federated identity to allow partners to access its web application. The solution must support single logout and attribute exchange. Which protocol is most appropriate?
SAML 2.0
SAML 2.0 is a mature protocol with built-in single logout and attribute query capabilities.
OpenID Connect
Why wrong: OpenID Connect provides authentication but has limited support for attribute exchange and single logout compared to SAML.
LDAP
Why wrong: LDAP is a directory protocol, not a federation protocol for SSO.
OAuth 2.0
Why wrong: OAuth 2.0 is an authorization framework, not designed for authentication or single logout.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
SAML 2.0
SAML 2.0 is the most appropriate protocol because it natively supports both single logout (SLO) and attribute exchange as core features. It uses XML-based assertions to transfer identity and attribute data between an identity provider (IdP) and a service provider (SP), and its SLO mechanism ensures that when a user logs out from one application, all sessions across participating services are terminated simultaneously.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
SAML 2.0
Why this is correct
SAML 2.0 is a mature protocol with built-in single logout and attribute query capabilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
OpenID Connect
Why it's wrong here
OpenID Connect provides authentication but has limited support for attribute exchange and single logout compared to SAML.
LDAP
Why it's wrong here
LDAP is a directory protocol, not a federation protocol for SSO.
OAuth 2.0
Why it's wrong here
OAuth 2.0 is an authorization framework, not designed for authentication or single logout.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse OAuth 2.0 with OpenID Connect or assume that OAuth 2.0 alone can handle authentication and logout, but OAuth 2.0 is strictly an authorization protocol and lacks the session management and attribute exchange features required for federated identity.
Detailed technical explanation
SAML 2.0's single logout is implemented through a series of `<LogoutRequest>` and `<LogoutResponse>` messages exchanged between the SP and IdP, often using HTTP Redirect or POST bindings. Attribute exchange is defined in the SAML 2.0 Attribute Profile, allowing the IdP to include `<Attribute>` elements within the assertion, such as `eduPersonAffiliation` or custom LDAP-derived attributes. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for government or healthcare federations where user roles and entitlements must be shared across multiple partner applications during a single session.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Identity and Access Management — This question tests Identity and Access Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: SAML 2.0 — SAML 2.0 is the most appropriate protocol because it natively supports both single logout (SLO) and attribute exchange as core features. It uses XML-based assertions to transfer identity and attribute data between an identity provider (IdP) and a service provider (SP), and its SLO mechanism ensures that when a user logs out from one application, all sessions across participating services are terminated simultaneously.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
This CISSP practice question is part of Courseiva's free ISC2 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 CISSP exam.
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