AZ-400 Develop a security and compliance plan Practice Question
This AZ-400 practice question tests your understanding of develop a security and compliance plan. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Your team uses Azure Pipelines to deploy to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). The security team requires that all container images be scanned for vulnerabilities before deployment. You have configured a container registry with Microsoft Defender for Cloud integration. What should you add to your pipeline to ensure only compliant images are deployed?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use the 'Azure Container Registry' task with the 'Scan' option to check vulnerabilities and fail the pipeline if critical vulnerabilities exist.
Option B is correct because you can use the 'ACR Task' or a script to check scan results before deployment. Option A is incorrect because scanning is not done at build time by default. Option C is incorrect because scanning the running container is too late. Option D is incorrect because security policies in Azure Policy can block non-compliant resources but are not pipeline-level.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Set up Azure Policy to deny deployments of images without scan results.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Policy works at resource level, not pipeline level.
✗
Add a task that runs a vulnerability scan on the image after deployment.
Why it's wrong here
Post-deployment scanning does not prevent deployment.
✗
Configure the AKS cluster to scan images after pulling.
Why it's wrong here
This does not prevent deployment.
✓
Use the 'Azure Container Registry' task with the 'Scan' option to check vulnerabilities and fail the pipeline if critical vulnerabilities exist.
Why this is correct
This blocks non-compliant images before deployment.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this AZ-400 question in full detail.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related AZ-400 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Develop a security and compliance plan — This question tests Develop a security and compliance plan — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use the 'Azure Container Registry' task with the 'Scan' option to check vulnerabilities and fail the pipeline if critical vulnerabilities exist. — Option B is correct because you can use the 'ACR Task' or a script to check scan results before deployment. Option A is incorrect because scanning is not done at build time by default. Option C is incorrect because scanning the running container is too late. Option D is incorrect because security policies in Azure Policy can block non-compliant resources but are not pipeline-level.
What should I do if I get this AZ-400 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related AZ-400 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Question Discussion
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