Quick Answer
The answer is HTTP Basic Authentication, SAML, and OAuth. These three are valid authentication methods for web applications because each provides a distinct mechanism for verifying user identity over HTTP. HTTP Basic Authentication transmits credentials in a base64-encoded header, while SAML is an XML-based federated protocol that enables single sign-on by exchanging assertions between an identity provider and a service provider. OAuth, though primarily an authorization framework, is commonly used for delegated authentication via access tokens. On the Systems Security Certified Practitioner SSCP exam, this question tests your understanding of which protocols are designed for authentication versus those that are not—a common trap is confusing OAuth’s authorization role with pure authentication, or assuming that methods like NTLM or Kerberos apply to web contexts. Remember the mnemonic “S.O.B.” for SAML, OAuth, and Basic—three valid web authentication methods that the SSCP expects you to recognize.
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of systems and application security. 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.
Which THREE of the following are valid methods for authenticating users in a web application? (Choose three.)
IP address whitelisting
Why wrong: IP whitelisting is an access control, not authentication.
SAML
SAML enables single sign-on across domains.
OAuth 2.0
OAuth 2.0 provides delegated access via tokens.
HTTP Basic Authentication
Basic authentication sends username/password in header.
LDAP
Why wrong: LDAP is a protocol for accessing directory services, not an authentication method per se.
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
SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is a valid method for authenticating users in a web application because it is an XML-based open standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between an identity provider (IdP) and a service provider (SP). It enables single sign-on (SSO) by allowing the SP to trust the IdP's assertion of the user's identity, making it a widely adopted federated authentication protocol.
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.
IP address whitelisting
Why it's wrong here
IP whitelisting is an access control, not authentication.
SAML
Why this is correct
SAML enables single sign-on across domains.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
OAuth 2.0
Why this is correct
OAuth 2.0 provides delegated access via tokens.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
HTTP Basic Authentication
Why this is correct
Basic authentication sends username/password in header.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
LDAP
Why it's wrong here
LDAP is a protocol for accessing directory services, not an authentication method per se.
Common exam traps
ISC2 often tests the distinction between authentication and authorization or access control, leading candidates to mistakenly select IP whitelisting (a network-layer access control) as an authentication method, or LDAP (a directory protocol) as a direct authentication protocol rather than a backend service.
Detailed technical explanation
SAML relies on digitally signed XML assertions exchanged via HTTP POST or redirect bindings, with the IdP generating an AuthnResponse containing the user's attributes and authentication context. OAuth 2.0 is an authorization framework that can be used for delegated authentication (e.g., via OpenID Connect), where the client obtains an access token after user consent, but it does not natively authenticate the user—OpenID Connect adds an ID token for that purpose. HTTP Basic Authentication sends the username and password as a Base64-encoded string in the Authorization header (RFC 7617), which is inherently insecure over plain HTTP unless combined with TLS, as the credentials are easily decoded.
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
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FAQ
Systems and Application Security — This question tests Systems and Application Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: SAML — SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) is a valid method for authenticating users in a web application because it is an XML-based open standard for exchanging authentication and authorization data between an identity provider (IdP) and a service provider (SP). It enables single sign-on (SSO) by allowing the SP to trust the IdP's assertion of the user's identity, making it a widely adopted federated authentication protocol.
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 30, 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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