- A
SAML authentication with single sign-on.
SAML SSO allows users to authenticate once and access multiple applications without re-prompting for credentials.
- B
LDAP authentication with a timeout.
Why wrong: LDAP authentication prompts for every new connection unless caching is used, which is not session-wide.
- C
Captive Portal with session cookie.
Why wrong: Captive Portal typically prompts each time the cookie expires or for each new browser session, not per user session.
- D
RADIUS authentication with one-time passwords.
Why wrong: One-time passwords provide strong security but require entering a new password each time, not a single sign-on experience.
Question 68 of 516
PCNSE Practice Question: Securing Users and Applications with Authentication
This PCNSE practice question tests your understanding of securing users and applications with authentication. 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 wants to authenticate users who are accessing internal applications from the internet through a firewall. The users should be prompted once per session. Which authentication solution best meets this requirement?
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 authentication with single sign-on.
SAML authentication with single sign-on (SSO) allows users to authenticate once per session via an external identity provider (IdP). The firewall validates the SAML assertion and maintains the session, so users are not prompted again until the session expires or is terminated. This meets the requirement of a single prompt per session without re-authentication.
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.
- ✓
SAML authentication with single sign-on.
Why this is correct
SAML SSO allows users to authenticate once and access multiple applications without re-prompting for credentials.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
LDAP authentication with a timeout.
Why it's wrong here
LDAP authentication prompts for every new connection unless caching is used, which is not session-wide.
- ✗
Captive Portal with session cookie.
Why it's wrong here
Captive Portal typically prompts each time the cookie expires or for each new browser session, not per user session.
- ✗
RADIUS authentication with one-time passwords.
Why it's wrong here
One-time passwords provide strong security but require entering a new password each time, not a single sign-on experience.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'session cookie' (Option C) with single sign-on, but Captive Portal cookies only cover the firewall's own session tracking and do not provide federated authentication across multiple applications, whereas SAML SSO does.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SAML (Security Assertion Markup Language) uses an XML-based assertion signed by the IdP to convey authentication and attribute information to the firewall (service provider). The firewall caches the SAML session token, typically using a session cookie or local session table entry, and does not re-prompt the user for subsequent requests to internal applications as long as the session is valid. In a real-world scenario, this is critical for organizations using cloud-based IdPs like Okta or Azure AD to provide seamless access to internal web apps without repeated credential prompts.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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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Securing Users and Applications with Authentication — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this PCNSE question test?
Securing Users and Applications with Authentication — This question tests Securing Users and Applications with Authentication — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SAML authentication with single sign-on. — SAML authentication with single sign-on (SSO) allows users to authenticate once per session via an external identity provider (IdP). The firewall validates the SAML assertion and maintains the session, so users are not prompted again until the session expires or is terminated. This meets the requirement of a single prompt per session without re-authentication.
What should I do if I get this PCNSE 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: Jul 4, 2026
This PCNSE practice question is part of Courseiva's free Palo Alto Networks 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 PCNSE exam.
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