How to Enable SSPR with Password Hash Synchronization for On-Premises Credentials
Your organization is planning to deploy Microsoft 365 for 500 users. You need to ensure that all users can authenticate using their on-premises Active Directory credentials while also enabling self-service password reset (SSPR) in the cloud. Which configuration should you implement?
Quick Answer
The correct choice is Password hash synchronization with Microsoft Entra Connect and SSPR enabled. This configuration works because Password Hash Synchronization (PHS) securely syncs on-premises Active Directory password hashes to Microsoft Entra ID, allowing users to authenticate with their on-premises credentials when signing into Microsoft 365. When SSPR is enabled in the cloud and combined with password writeback, users can reset their own passwords, and the change is written back to the on-premises AD, keeping both directories in sync without requiring federation. On the MS-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of hybrid identity authentication methods and the specific prerequisites for SSPR; a common trap is choosing federation or pass-through authentication, which add unnecessary complexity for this straightforward requirement. Remember the key pairing: PHS handles authentication, password writeback handles the reset sync. A useful memory tip is “PHS for auth, writeback for reset”—if both are present, you have a complete on-premises credential and SSPR solution.
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often assume federated identity (ADFS) is required for on-premises authentication, but password hash synchronization with SSPR and password writeback provides a simpler, fully supported solution that meets both requirements without the overhead of federation.
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
✓
Password hash synchronization with Microsoft Entra Connect and SSPR enabled
Password hash synchronization (PHS) with Microsoft Entra Connect synchronizes on-premises AD password hashes to Microsoft Entra ID, enabling users to authenticate with their on-premises credentials in the cloud. When SSPR is enabled in Microsoft Entra ID, users can reset their cloud passwords, and with password writeback enabled, the new password is written back to on-premises AD, ensuring both environments remain in sync. This combination meets the requirement for on-premises authentication and cloud SSPR without the complexity of federation.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Pass-through authentication with Microsoft Entra Connect
Why it's wrong here
PTA does not enable SSPR without password write-back.
- ✗
Cloud-only identities with Microsoft Entra ID
Why it's wrong here
Cloud-only identities do not use on-premises credentials.
- ✗
Federated identity with Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS)
Why it's wrong here
ADFS requires write-back for SSPR, which is not automatic.
- ✓
Password hash synchronization with Microsoft Entra Connect and SSPR enabled
Why this is correct
Password hash sync allows cloud SSPR while using on-premises credentials.
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Related to this question
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Microsoft 365 Tenant Setup
Key term
Password hash synchronization
Password hash synchronization is a Microsoft Azure AD Connect feature that synchronizes a hash of a user's on-premises Active Directory password to Azure AD, enabling cloud-based authentication without additional infrastructure.
Key term
Federation
Federation is a system that lets you use one set of login credentials (like your work email and password) to access resources across different organizations or services without needing separate accounts for each one.
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Same concept, more angles
1 more way this is tested on MS-102
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Your organization is preparing to deploy Microsoft 365 for 5,000 users. You need to ensure that all users can authenticate using their existing on-premises Active Directory credentials while minimizing infrastructure changes. You also need to support self-service password reset (SSPR) for cloud-only users. Which authentication method should you recommend?
medium- A.Cloud-only authentication with Microsoft Entra ID
- B.Pass-through Authentication (PTA)
- ✓ C.Password Hash Synchronization (PHS)
- D.Federation with AD FS
Why C: Password Hash Synchronization (PHS) is the correct choice because it synchronizes password hashes from on-premises Active Directory to Microsoft Entra ID, allowing users to authenticate with their existing credentials without additional infrastructure. It also enables cloud-only users to use self-service password reset (SSPR) independently, as SSPR relies on cloud-stored hashes and does not require on-premises write-back for cloud-only accounts.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This MS-102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft 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 MS-102 exam.