- A
Deny
Why wrong: The Deny effect blocks creation of the VNet if it does not meet the condition. While this enforces compliance, it does not automatically deploy the NSG. Developers would have to manually create and associate the NSG before the VNet can be created, which adds extra steps.
- B
Audit
Why wrong: The Audit effect logs a compliance event when the condition is not met (e.g., missing NSG association), but it does not deploy the NSG or remediate the issue. It only alerts the security team to the non-compliance, requiring manual follow-up.
- C
DeployIfNotExists
The DeployIfNotExists effect automatically deploys a resource (in this case, an NSG and its association to the subnet) when a VNet is created without it. This ensures compliance without manual effort from developers, matching the requirement exactly.
- D
Append
Why wrong: The Append effect adds additional fields to the existing resource definition (e.g., tags on a VNet). However, an NSG association is a separate resource (a subnet property referencing the NSG), not a property of the VNet itself. Append cannot create or attach a separate resource like an NSG.
Quick Answer
The answer is DeployIfNotExists, because this Azure Policy effect automatically deploys a network security group (NSG) to the default subnet of any virtual network that lacks one, enforcing the security team’s requirement without any developer action. Technically, DeployIfNotExists evaluates resources after creation and, if the specified NSG is missing, triggers a deployment to remediate the non-compliant state, making it ideal for auto-deploy NSG scenarios. On the AZ-900 exam, this question tests your understanding of Azure Policy effects and their operational roles, often appearing in scenarios about automated compliance enforcement. A common trap is confusing DeployIfNotExists with AuditIfNotExists—remember that Audit only reports non-compliance, while Deploy actively fixes it. Memory tip: “Deploy” means “do the work for me,” so if the goal is zero extra steps for developers, DeployIfNotExists is your go-to effect.
AZ-900 Describe Azure management and governance Practice Question
This AZ-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe azure management and governance. 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 has an Azure subscription used by multiple development teams. The security team wants to ensure that every virtual network (VNet) created in the subscription automatically has a specific network security group (NSG) associated with its default subnet. The NSG rules are defined by the security team, and developers should not have to perform any extra steps after creating a VNet. Which Azure Policy effect should the security team use in the policy definition?
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
DeployIfNotExists
The DeployIfNotExists effect is correct because it automatically deploys a specific NSG to the default subnet of any VNet that does not already have it, ensuring compliance without requiring developer intervention. This effect evaluates the resource after creation and triggers a deployment to remediate non-compliant states, aligning with the requirement for zero extra steps.
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.
- ✗
Deny
Why it's wrong here
The Deny effect blocks creation of the VNet if it does not meet the condition. While this enforces compliance, it does not automatically deploy the NSG. Developers would have to manually create and associate the NSG before the VNet can be created, which adds extra steps.
- ✗
Audit
Why it's wrong here
The Audit effect logs a compliance event when the condition is not met (e.g., missing NSG association), but it does not deploy the NSG or remediate the issue. It only alerts the security team to the non-compliance, requiring manual follow-up.
- ✓
DeployIfNotExists
Why this is correct
The DeployIfNotExists effect automatically deploys a resource (in this case, an NSG and its association to the subnet) when a VNet is created without it. This ensures compliance without manual effort from developers, matching the requirement exactly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Append
Why it's wrong here
The Append effect adds additional fields to the existing resource definition (e.g., tags on a VNet). However, an NSG association is a separate resource (a subnet property referencing the NSG), not a property of the VNet itself. Append cannot create or attach a separate resource like an NSG.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse DeployIfNotExists with Deny, thinking that blocking non-compliant resources is the only way to enforce compliance, but the question explicitly requires automatic association without extra steps, which only DeployIfNotExists can achieve through remediation.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
DeployIfNotExists uses Azure Policy's remediation task, which leverages a managed identity to deploy a template (e.g., ARM template) that associates the NSG with the subnet. Under the hood, the policy evaluates the resource after creation (via the 'existenceCondition' check) and, if the NSG is missing, triggers a deployment to the resource group containing the VNet. In real-world scenarios, this ensures consistent security posture across development teams without requiring custom scripts or manual oversight.
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Describe Azure management and governance — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Describe Azure management and governance practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All AZ-900 questions
1,031 questions across all exam domains
- →
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals AZ-900 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
AZ-900 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related AZ-900 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Describe cloud concepts practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to Describe cloud concepts.
Describe Azure architecture and services practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to Describe Azure architecture and services.
Describe Azure management and governance practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to Describe Azure management and governance.
AZ-900 Azure services practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to AZ-900 Azure services.
AZ-900 pricing and support practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to AZ-900 pricing and support.
AZ-900 security and compliance practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to AZ-900 security and compliance.
AZ-900 governance practice questions
Practise AZ-900 questions linked to AZ-900 governance.
Practice this exam
Start a free AZ-900 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this AZ-900 question test?
Describe Azure management and governance — This question tests Describe Azure management and governance — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: DeployIfNotExists — The DeployIfNotExists effect is correct because it automatically deploys a specific NSG to the default subnet of any VNet that does not already have it, ensuring compliance without requiring developer intervention. This effect evaluates the resource after creation and triggers a deployment to remediate non-compliant states, aligning with the requirement for zero extra steps.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.