CAS-004 Security Architecture Practice Question
A security architect is designing a hybrid identity solution for a company that wants to enforce device-based conditional access for Microsoft 365. Employees use personal Android and iOS devices, and the company wants to ensure that only compliant devices can access email and SharePoint. The architect must minimize on-premises infrastructure and avoid a full VPN. Which solution should the architect recommend?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that multi-factor authentication alone satisfies a device-based conditional access requirement, when in fact device compliance must be evaluated and enforced through a management channel such as Intune.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Deploy Microsoft Entra ID with Conditional Access policies that require device compliance, and enroll devices in Microsoft Intune.
Microsoft Entra ID Conditional Access combined with Intune device compliance is the correct approach because it enforces device-based access decisions for cloud applications without requiring on-premises infrastructure or a full VPN. Conditional Access evaluates signals such as device compliance state and can block or grant access to Microsoft 365 accordingly, while Intune manages device configuration and compliance for both Android and iOS.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure a full-tunnel VPN that routes all mobile traffic through the corporate network and enforce network access control (NAC) at the edge.
Why it's wrong here
A full-tunnel VPN introduces latency and infrastructure overhead, and the scenario explicitly asks to avoid a full VPN. NAC at the network edge cannot evaluate mobile device compliance for cloud services like Microsoft 365, and it does not provide the granular conditional access needed for personal devices.
- ✗
Implement Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS) with a Web Application Proxy and require certificate-based authentication for all devices.
Why it's wrong here
AD FS with Web Application Proxy is an on-premises federation solution that requires significant infrastructure and does not natively evaluate device compliance for personal mobile devices. Certificate-based authentication alone does not ensure the device meets compliance policies, and the company wants to minimize on-premises footprint.
- ✗
Use Microsoft Entra ID with Security Defaults enabled and require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all users.
Why it's wrong here
Security Defaults provide baseline protection such as MFA but do not enforce device compliance. MFA alone does not ensure that the device is compliant with corporate policies, so it fails to meet the requirement that only compliant devices can access email and SharePoint.
- ✓
Deploy Microsoft Entra ID with Conditional Access policies that require device compliance, and enroll devices in Microsoft Intune.
Why this is correct
Entra ID Conditional Access can require that a device be marked compliant by Intune before granting access to Microsoft 365. Intune enforces device configuration and compliance on Android and iOS without requiring on-premises infrastructure or VPN, directly meeting the requirement to restrict access to compliant devices.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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