The answer is the Security Reader role. This built-in Microsoft Entra role is the correct choice because it grants read-only access to security-related data, including sign-in logs, audit logs, and security recommendations, without permitting any write operations such as password resets, setting modifications, or role management. On the Microsoft 365 Administrator MS-102 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between read-only security roles and more privileged roles like Security Administrator or Global Reader; a common trap is confusing Security Reader with Security Operator, but remember that Security Reader cannot perform any actions—only view. The search intent for read-only security logs role Entra is perfectly satisfied here, as the role provides exactly the visibility needed for monitoring without risk of accidental changes. Memory tip: think “Reader = Read-only, no red pen”—Security Reader can see the security logs but cannot write or edit anything.
MS-102 Practice Question: Implement and manage identity and access in Microsoft Entra ID
This MS-102 practice question tests your understanding of implement and manage identity and access in microsoft entra id. 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 junior administrator needs permission to view sign-in logs, audit logs, and security recommendations in the Microsoft Entra admin center, but must not be able to reset passwords, modify settings, or manage roles. Which built-in Microsoft Entra role should the administrator assign?
Why wrong: Global Reader can view all settings across the tenant but grants more visibility than required, including the ability to read billing and user settings. It is overly broad for this need.
B
Security Reader
Security Reader provides read-only access to security features, including sign-in logs, audit logs, and security recommendations. It does not allow any modification, meeting the requirement.
C
Reports Reader
Why wrong: Reports Reader can view usage reports and audit logs, but not security recommendations. It is a narrower role than needed.
D
Security Administrator
Why wrong: Security Administrator has read/write access to security settings and can reset passwords. This exceeds the required read-only access.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Security Reader
The Security Reader role grants read-only access to security-related data, including sign-in logs, audit logs, and security recommendations, without permitting any write operations such as password resets, setting modifications, or role management. This aligns precisely with the junior administrator's required permissions.
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.
✗
Global Reader
Why it's wrong here
Global Reader can view all settings across the tenant but grants more visibility than required, including the ability to read billing and user settings. It is overly broad for this need.
✓
Security Reader
Why this is correct
Security Reader provides read-only access to security features, including sign-in logs, audit logs, and security recommendations. It does not allow any modification, meeting the requirement.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Reports Reader
Why it's wrong here
Reports Reader can view usage reports and audit logs, but not security recommendations. It is a narrower role than needed.
✗
Security Administrator
Why it's wrong here
Security Administrator has read/write access to security settings and can reset passwords. This exceeds the required read-only access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the Security Reader role with the Security Administrator role, mistakenly assuming that viewing security recommendations requires write permissions, or they overlook the legacy Reports Reader role which does not cover all required log types.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Microsoft Entra roles are defined by a set of permissions stored in the directory's role definition objects, each mapped to specific Microsoft Graph API actions. The Security Reader role, for example, includes permissions like 'microsoft.directory/auditLogs/allProperties/read' and 'microsoft.directory/signInReports/allProperties/read', but explicitly excludes write actions such as 'microsoft.directory/users/password/update'. In a real-world scenario, a SOC analyst might be assigned this role to investigate security incidents without risking accidental changes to tenant configuration.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this MS-102 question in full detail.
Implement and manage identity and access in Microsoft Entra ID — This question tests Implement and manage identity and access in Microsoft Entra ID — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Security Reader — The Security Reader role grants read-only access to security-related data, including sign-in logs, audit logs, and security recommendations, without permitting any write operations such as password resets, setting modifications, or role management. This aligns precisely with the junior administrator's required permissions.
What should I do if I get this MS-102 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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