- A
Configuring operating system firewalls on the virtual machines
Why wrong: This is incorrect. Configuring the guest OS firewall is the responsibility of the customer because the customer manages the operating system and its settings in an IaaS environment.
- B
Patching the guest operating system of the virtual machines
Why wrong: This is incorrect. The customer is responsible for patching and maintaining the guest operating system on Azure virtual machines. Microsoft patches the underlying hypervisor, but not the guest OS.
- C
Maintaining physical security of the datacenter where the servers are hosted
This is correct. Under the shared responsibility model, Microsoft is responsible for the physical security of its datacenters, including access controls, surveillance, and environmental controls. This is a core responsibility of the cloud provider.
- D
Managing application-level user authentication and authorization
Why wrong: This is incorrect. Application-level authentication and authorization are managed by the customer because they own and operate the application. Microsoft provides identity services like Azure AD but the customer must configure and manage access policies.
AZ-900 Describe cloud concepts Practice Question
This AZ-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe cloud concepts. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. A key principle to apply: microsoft is responsible for the physical security of Azure datacenters.. 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 plans to migrate a line-of-business application to Azure virtual machines (IaaS). The company's security team is reviewing the shared responsibility model to determine which security tasks are handled by Microsoft. Which of the following security responsibilities belongs to Microsoft?
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
Maintaining physical security of the datacenter where the servers are hosted
Under the shared responsibility model for IaaS, Microsoft is responsible for the physical security of its datacenters, including access controls, surveillance, and environmental safeguards. This is a foundational layer that customers cannot manage, making option C correct.
Key principle: Microsoft is responsible for the physical security of Azure datacenters.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configuring operating system firewalls on the virtual machines
- ✗
Patching the guest operating system of the virtual machines
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect. The customer is responsible for patching and maintaining the guest operating system on Azure virtual machines. Microsoft patches the underlying hypervisor, but not the guest OS.
- ✓
Maintaining physical security of the datacenter where the servers are hosted
Why this is correct
This is correct. Under the shared responsibility model, Microsoft is responsible for the physical security of its datacenters, including access controls, surveillance, and environmental controls. This is a core responsibility of the cloud provider.
Related concept
Microsoft is responsible for the physical security of Azure datacenters.
- ✗
Managing application-level user authentication and authorization
Why it's wrong here
This is incorrect. Application-level authentication and authorization are managed by the customer because they own and operate the application. Microsoft provides identity services like Azure AD but the customer must configure and manage access policies.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Microsoft's responsibility for the physical infrastructure with customer-managed tasks like OS patching or firewall rules, leading them to incorrectly select options A or B.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Azure IaaS, Microsoft secures the physical datacenter (e.g., biometric access, CCTV, and redundant power) and the hypervisor layer (e.g., Hyper-V isolation), while customers are responsible for the guest OS, applications, and network configurations. This division is defined in the Azure Shared Responsibility Model documentation, which clarifies that customers retain control over data and identity, even in PaaS scenarios. A real-world example: if a customer fails to patch the guest OS, Microsoft will not intervene, but they will still maintain the physical server's security.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Microsoft is responsible for the physical security of Azure datacenters.
- Physical security includes access controls, surveillance, and environmental protection.
- This falls under 'security OF the cloud' in the shared responsibility model.
- Customers are responsible for 'security IN the cloud' for IaaS workloads.
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
Microsoft is responsible for the physical security of Azure datacenters.
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review microsoft is responsible for the physical security of Azure datacenters., then practise related AZ-900 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
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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 — Microsoft is responsible for the physical security of Azure datacenters..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Maintaining physical security of the datacenter where the servers are hosted — Under the shared responsibility model for IaaS, Microsoft is responsible for the physical security of its datacenters, including access controls, surveillance, and environmental safeguards. This is a foundational layer that customers cannot manage, making option C correct.
What should I do if I get this AZ-900 question wrong?
Review microsoft is responsible for the physical security of Azure datacenters., then practise related AZ-900 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Microsoft is responsible for the physical security of Azure datacenters.
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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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