- A
Identity Provider (IdP)
IdP authenticates users and issues SAML assertions.
- B
Trust relationship between IdP and SP
A trust is established so that the SP accepts assertions from the IdP.
- C
Ticket Granting Ticket (TGT)
Why wrong: TGT is a Kerberos concept, not SAML.
- D
Attribute Authority (AA)
Why wrong: An AA is an optional component in SAML for retrieving attributes; not essential for basic federation.
- E
Service Provider (SP)
SP is the cloud application that consumes SAML assertions for authorization.
Question 777 of 1,000
SSCP Access Controls Practice Question
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of access controls. 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 is migrating to a cloud-based SaaS application and wants to implement federated identity. Users will authenticate using their existing corporate Active Directory credentials. Which THREE components are essential for a SAML-based federation? (Select THREE.)
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
✓
Identity Provider (IdP)
SAML federation requires an Identity Provider (IdP), a Service Provider (SP), and trust between them. The IdP authenticates the user and sends an assertion to the SP via an HTTP redirect.
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.
- ✓
Identity Provider (IdP)
Why this is correct
IdP authenticates users and issues SAML assertions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Trust relationship between IdP and SP
Why this is correct
A trust is established so that the SP accepts assertions from the IdP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Ticket Granting Ticket (TGT)
Why it's wrong here
TGT is a Kerberos concept, not SAML.
- ✗
Attribute Authority (AA)
Why it's wrong here
An AA is an optional component in SAML for retrieving attributes; not essential for basic federation.
- ✓
Service Provider (SP)
Why this is correct
SP is the cloud application that consumes SAML assertions for authorization.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Access Controls — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Access Controls — This question tests Access Controls — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Identity Provider (IdP) — SAML federation requires an Identity Provider (IdP), a Service Provider (SP), and trust between them. The IdP authenticates the user and sends an assertion to the SP via an HTTP redirect.
What should I do if I get this SSCP question wrong?
Identify which SSCP exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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: Jul 4, 2026
This SSCP 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 SSCP exam.
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