The answer is HTTP Basic Authentication, API Key validation, and OAuth 2.0. These three methods are correct because ServiceNow’s Scripted REST API relies on the platform’s authentication framework to verify incoming requests before executing any script logic. HTTP Basic Authentication checks credentials against the user table, API Key validation requires a pre-shared key in the header matched against an API Keys application record, and OAuth 2.0 uses token-based authorization for delegated access. On the ServiceNow Certified Application Developer CAD exam, this question tests your understanding that Scripted REST APIs do not automatically enforce security—you must explicitly configure authentication. A common trap is assuming that simply enabling the API endpoint is enough, or that IP restrictions alone count as an authentication method. Remember the mnemonic “BAK” for Basic, API key, and OAuth—these are the three official methods that protect the endpoint from unauthorized external applications querying incident data.
SNOW-CAD Platform Features and Integration Practice Question
This SNOW-CAD practice question tests your understanding of platform features and integration. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 ServiceNow instance needs to expose a REST API endpoint for external applications to query incident data. The developer creates a Scripted REST API and needs to ensure that only authorized applications can access it. Which THREE methods can be used to secure the Scripted REST API?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Require the request to include a valid ServiceNow username and password (Basic Authentication)
Option A is correct because ServiceNow supports HTTP Basic Authentication, which requires the request to include a valid ServiceNow username and password in the Authorization header. This is a standard method for securing Scripted REST APIs, as the platform validates credentials against its user table before processing the request.
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.
✓
Require the request to include a valid ServiceNow username and password (Basic Authentication)
Why this is correct
Basic Auth is a built-in option for REST API security.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Require a valid SAML 2.0 assertion in the request body
Why it's wrong here
SAML assertions are for browser-based single sign-on, not REST API authentication.
✓
Require a valid OAuth 2.0 access token in the Authorization header
Why this is correct
OAuth 2.0 is supported for token-based authentication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Require a specific API key in the request header that is validated against an API Keys application
Why this is correct
API key authentication is provided via the 'API Keys' plugin.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Require that the request originates from an IP address within a specified LDAP directory
Why it's wrong here
LDAP is for user authentication, not IP restriction.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse SAML 2.0 assertions (used for SSO) with API authentication mechanisms, or assume IP-based restrictions are a valid API security method in ServiceNow, when in fact only Basic Auth, OAuth 2.0, and API keys are supported for Scripted REST APIs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ServiceNow Scripted REST APIs can be secured via Basic Authentication (RFC 7617) or OAuth 2.0 (RFC 6749) with bearer tokens. Basic Authentication sends credentials in Base64-encoded form, which should always be used over HTTPS to prevent interception. OAuth 2.0 provides token-based access with scopes and refresh capabilities, making it more suitable for third-party integrations where credential sharing is undesirable.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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.
Platform Features and Integration — This question tests Platform Features and Integration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Require the request to include a valid ServiceNow username and password (Basic Authentication) — Option A is correct because ServiceNow supports HTTP Basic Authentication, which requires the request to include a valid ServiceNow username and password in the Authorization header. This is a standard method for securing Scripted REST APIs, as the platform validates credentials against its user table before processing the request.
What should I do if I get this SNOW-CAD 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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. Which TWO of the following are valid methods to authenticate a REST API call to ServiceNow?
hard
A.SAML assertion authentication.
B.LDAP authentication.
✓ C.Basic Authentication with username and password.
D.API Key authentication.
✓ E.OAuth 2.0 authentication.
Why C: Option C is correct because ServiceNow supports Basic Authentication, where the REST API call includes an HTTP Authorization header with a Base64-encoded string of 'username:password'. This is a straightforward method for authenticating API requests, though it requires HTTPS to avoid exposing credentials in plaintext.
Variation 2. Which TWO of the following are valid authentication options for a Scripted REST API in ServiceNow?
easy
A.JWT
✓ B.Basic Auth
C.API Key
D.SAML 2.0
✓ E.OAuth 2.0
Why B: Basic Auth is a valid authentication option for Scripted REST APIs in ServiceNow because it allows the API to authenticate requests using a username and password pair encoded in the Authorization header. ServiceNow natively supports Basic Auth for inbound REST calls, making it a straightforward choice for legacy or simple integrations.
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This SNOW-CAD practice question is part of Courseiva's free ServiceNow 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 SNOW-CAD exam.
Question Discussion
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