AZ-204 Implement Azure security Practice Question
A background service must call Microsoft Graph without a signed-in user. Which Microsoft identity platform permission model is required?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'no signed-in user' with 'no user at all' and incorrectly choose delegated permissions or device code flow, forgetting that application permissions with client credentials flow are the only way to authenticate a service identity without user interaction.
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
✓
Application permissions with client credentials flow
For a background service calling Microsoft Graph without a signed-in user, the application must authenticate as itself, not on behalf of a user. Application permissions, combined with the client credentials flow (OAuth 2.0), allow the service to obtain an access token using its own identity (client ID and client secret or certificate), without any user interaction. This is the only model that supports non-interactive, daemon-style access to Microsoft Graph.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Password hash synchronization
Why it's wrong here
Password hash synchronization is an identity sync method, not an API permission model.
- ✗
Delegated permissions only
Why it's wrong here
Delegated permissions require a signed-in user.
- ✗
Device code flow
Why it's wrong here
Device code flow is for user sign-in on input-constrained devices.
- ✓
Application permissions with client credentials flow
Why this is correct
Application permissions allow daemon apps to act as themselves without a user context.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
App Service Development
Key term
Microsoft Identity Platform
Microsoft Identity Platform is a unified authentication and authorization service that enables applications to sign in users and access resources using Microsoft Entra ID and modern protocols.
Key term
Azure AD B2C
Azure AD B2C is a cloud identity service that lets you customize and control how your customers sign up, sign in, and manage their profiles when using your applications.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This AZ-204 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the AZ-204 exam.