What distinguishes an Identity Provider (IdP) from a Service Provider (SP) in sign-on flows?

The distinction between an Identity Provider (IdP) and a Service Provider (SP) in sign-on flows primarily lies in their roles in user authentication and service delivery. The Identity Provider is responsible for validating the identity of users, managing authentication processes, and issuing security tokens that provide users access to services. This means that the IdP authenticates users, ensuring they are who they claim to be before allowing them access to any services.

On the other hand, the Service Provider is focused on delivering services or applications to users. Once a user is authenticated by the IdP, the SP then uses the security tokens provided to grant access to its resources. Essentially, the IdP is like a gatekeeper that manages who gets in, while the SP is the entity that offers the actual services or content that the user is looking to access.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the relationship between IdPs and SPs. For example, while IdPs do provide security tokens, they are fundamentally characterized by their role in user authentication rather than just token management. Both IdPs and SPs can be involved in managing network connections or databases, but their primary focuses differ. Moreover, IdPs and SPs can be deployed in various environments, including cloud and on-prem