- A
Rapid elasticity
Why wrong: This option is incorrect. Rapid elasticity refers to the ability to quickly scale computing resources out and in based on demand, automatically. The scenario describes accessing services from remote devices, not scaling resources.
- B
Measured service
Why wrong: This option is incorrect. Measured service means that cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource usage by leveraging a metering capability. The scenario is about connectivity and device access, not about metering or billing.
- C
Broad network access
This option is correct. Broad network access is the characteristic that cloud resources are available over the network and can be accessed by standard protocols from a wide variety of client devices (e.g., smartphones, laptops). The scenario explicitly describes this capability.
- D
Resource pooling
Why wrong: This option is incorrect. Resource pooling refers to the cloud provider's computing resources being pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model. The scenario involves individual device access, not the pooling or sharing of resources among customers.
Quick Answer
The answer is broad network access, which is the correct choice because it describes the ability to access cloud resources over standard network protocols like HTTPS from a wide range of devices—such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets—from any location with internet connectivity, without requiring a private connection like a VPN. In the scenario, the field employees’ mobile app connects to the Azure backend API via HTTPS from any client site, directly matching the NIST definition of broad network access as a fundamental characteristic of cloud computing. On the Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 exam, this concept tests your understanding of the five essential cloud characteristics; a common trap is confusing broad network access with rapid elasticity or resource pooling. To remember it, think of the phrase “any device, any network, any location”—if you can reach the cloud service over the public internet using a smartphone or laptop, that’s broad network access in action.
AZ-900 Describe cloud concepts Practice Question
This AZ-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe cloud concepts. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
A company's field employees use a custom mobile app to upload sales data from their smartphones while at client sites. The app connects to an Azure-hosted backend API. The company's IT team notes that the mobile app can connect to the Azure service using standard HTTPS from any location with internet connectivity, without requiring a VPN. This ability to access cloud resources over the internet from various devices and locations is an example of which key characteristic of cloud computing?
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
Broad network access
Broad network access means cloud resources can be accessed over standard network protocols (like HTTPS) from a wide range of devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets) and locations without requiring a private connection such as a VPN. In this scenario, the mobile app uses HTTPS to reach the Azure backend API from any internet-connected location, which directly matches the NIST definition of broad network access.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Rapid elasticity
Why it's wrong here
This option is incorrect. Rapid elasticity refers to the ability to quickly scale computing resources out and in based on demand, automatically. The scenario describes accessing services from remote devices, not scaling resources.
- ✗
Measured service
Why it's wrong here
This option is incorrect. Measured service means that cloud systems automatically control and optimize resource usage by leveraging a metering capability. The scenario is about connectivity and device access, not about metering or billing.
- ✓
Broad network access
Why this is correct
This option is correct. Broad network access is the characteristic that cloud resources are available over the network and can be accessed by standard protocols from a wide variety of client devices (e.g., smartphones, laptops). The scenario explicitly describes this capability.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Resource pooling
Why it's wrong here
This option is incorrect. Resource pooling refers to the cloud provider's computing resources being pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model. The scenario involves individual device access, not the pooling or sharing of resources among customers.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'broad network access' with 'rapid elasticity' because both involve scaling or reach, but broad network access is about the variety of devices and network paths (no VPN required), not about automatic resource scaling.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
This option is incorrect. Rapid elasticity refers to the ability to quickly scale computing resources out and in based on demand, automatically. The scenario describes accessing services from remote devices, not scaling resources.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Broad network access is defined in NIST SP 800-145 as capabilities being available over the network and accessed through standard mechanisms (e.g., HTTPS, TLS) by heterogeneous client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, workstations). Under the hood, this relies on public DNS resolution, TLS handshakes, and HTTP/2 or HTTP/3 protocols to ensure secure, low-latency connections from any internet endpoint. A real-world scenario is a field sales team using a React Native app that calls Azure Functions via HTTPS; the app works from a coffee shop, hotel, or client office without any site-to-site VPN or ExpressRoute.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
What to study next
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-900 question test?
Describe cloud concepts — This question tests Describe cloud concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Broad network access — Broad network access means cloud resources can be accessed over standard network protocols (like HTTPS) from a wide range of devices (smartphones, laptops, tablets) and locations without requiring a private connection such as a VPN. In this scenario, the mobile app uses HTTPS to reach the Azure backend API from any internet-connected location, which directly matches the NIST definition of broad network access.
What should I do if I get this AZ-900 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This AZ-900 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-900 exam.
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