SSCP Access Controls Practice Question
An Identity Provider (IdP) sends an XML-based assertion to a Service Provider (SP) to grant access. Which federated identity standard 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
✓
Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML)
SAML uses XML assertions to exchange authentication and authorization data between an IdP and an SP.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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OAuth 2.0
Why it's wrong here
OAuth 2.0 uses tokens, typically JSON, not XML assertions.
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Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML)
Why this is correct
SAML uses XML-based assertions for federated identity.
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OpenID Connect (OIDC)
Why it's wrong here
OIDC uses JSON Web Tokens (JWT) and is built on OAuth 2.0.
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Kerberos
Why it's wrong here
Kerberos uses tickets, not XML assertions.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.