- A
IP address whitelisting
Why wrong: IP whitelisting is an access control, not authentication.
- B
SAML
SAML enables single sign-on across domains.
- C
OAuth 2.0
OAuth 2.0 provides delegated access via tokens.
- D
HTTP Basic Authentication
Basic authentication sends username/password in header.
- E
LDAP
Why wrong: LDAP is a protocol for accessing directory services, not an authentication method per se.
Question 241 of 1,000
mediumMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
SSCP Practice Question: Which THREE of the following are valid methods…
This SSCP practice question tests your understanding of sscp exam topics. 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.)
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
✓
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
Option-by-option breakdown
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
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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
Questions learners often ask
What does this SSCP question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
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.
What should I do if I get this SSCP 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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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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