Which of the following best describes the function of an Identity Provider (IdP)?

An Identity Provider (IdP) serves multiple essential functions in the realm of identity and access management, particularly in supporting secure access to applications and services.

First, managing access rights is a critical function of an IdP; it ensures that users have the appropriate permissions to access resources based on their identity. This management of access rights often involves evaluating user roles and the associated policy settings to allow or deny access.

Second, maintaining user authentication is another primary role of an IdP. It handles the verification process of users trying to access a system, typically through various methods such as single sign-on (SSO), which allows users to authenticate with multiple services using one set of credentials.

Third, while provisioning user accounts may not be as central as the first two tasks, it is often included in the IdP's responsibilities. Provisioning involves creating, modifying, and deactivating user accounts within the identity management process, which is directly tied to ensuring users can access required resources securely.

Each of these functions is vital for ensuring a robust identity management framework. By integrating these processes, an IdP helps to maintain security and streamline access control across multiple systems and applications, thus demonstrating the comprehensive nature of its responsibilities. Therefore, stating that an IdP performs all