Salesforce Certified Identity and Access Management Practice

What does the term "Access Token" refer to?

1. A permanent identifier for users in Salesforce

2. A temporary token for accessing Salesforce resources

3. A tool for managing user permissions

4. A mechanism for user session timeout settings

The correct answer is: A temporary token for accessing Salesforce resources

The term "Access Token" refers to a temporary token used for accessing Salesforce resources. Access tokens are generated during the authentication process when a user successfully logs in to a system or service, allowing that user to access the API and its resources for a limited period of time. By using access tokens, systems can maintain security by ensuring that any given token expires after a set duration, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. This temporary nature is critical in ensuring that even if a token is compromised, the window of opportunity for misuse is limited. Access tokens are usually part of OAuth 2.0, which is a common authorization framework used to secure API access in Salesforce and other services. Other options do not accurately describe the function of an access token. For instance, a permanent identifier for users would refer to unique user IDs that remain static and do not change, while managing user permissions typically involves roles and profiles rather than tokens. Lastly, user session timeout settings refer to how long a user can stay logged in without any activity, which is distinct from the purpose of an access token.