Question

Difficulty: EasyIdentity and Access Management Architecture

Match each Identity and Access Management (IAM) protocol to its primary architectural use case.

  • SAML 2.0XML-based web single sign-on (SSO) federation across enterprise enterprise boundaries
  • OAuth 2.0Token-based authorization framework for delegated third-party API access
  • OpenID Connect (OIDC)Authentication identity layer built on top of OAuth 2.0 using JSON Web Tokens (JWTs)
  • RADIUSCentralized AAA protocol for network infrastructure, 802.1X, and VPN access control

Answer

SAML 2.0 matches XML-based web SSO federation; OAuth 2.0 matches token-based authorization for API access; OpenID Connect matches the authentication identity layer built on OAuth 2.0; RADIUS matches centralized AAA network access control.
Each IAM protocol satisfies a specific architectural domain: SAML 2.0 facilitates XML web federation across organizations; OAuth 2.0 grants granular authorization tokens to APIs; OpenID Connect adds an authentication identity layer over OAuth 2.0 using JWTs; RADIUS delivers network-level AAA for VPNs and wireless infrastructure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary architectural function (Authentication vs. Authorization vs. Network AAA) for each protocol.
Categorize SAML 2.0 and OIDC as web identity/SSO authentication, OAuth 2.0 as API authorization, and RADIUS as network AAA.
IAM architecture requires matching protocols to their specific layer in the security stack.
2
Differentiate web federation standards based on message format and structure.
Associate SAML 2.0 with XML assertions and OIDC with JSON Web Tokens (JWT) extending OAuth 2.0.
SAML 2.0 is enterprise XML-focused, while OIDC modernizes web authentication over RESTful/JSON endpoints.
3
Pair RADIUS with network-level authentication mechanisms.
Connect RADIUS to 802.1X port security and VPN access control.
RADIUS is designed for infrastructure device network access control, unlike web application protocols.

Key Concept

IAM Protocol Architectural Selection
Estimated Time:45s
Rate this question