This MS-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe cloud concepts. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 business needs staff to access Microsoft 365 services from different locations using only an internet connection. Which cloud benefit is being used?
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 is a core characteristic of cloud computing defined by NIST SP 800-145. It means that resources are available over the network and can be accessed by standard client platforms (e.g., laptops, tablets, smartphones) using only an internet connection, without requiring a dedicated private link or on-premises hardware. In this scenario, staff accessing Microsoft 365 from different locations via the internet directly demonstrates 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.
Manual provisioning is the opposite of cloud self-service.
✓
Broad network access
Why this is correct
Broad network access means services are available over the network from many client types and locations.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Server virtualization only
Why it's wrong here
Virtualization may support cloud providers internally, but it does not describe user access from anywhere.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'broad network access' with 'server virtualization' or 'CapEx spending,' because they think cloud benefits are about hardware consolidation or cost models, rather than the fundamental characteristic of network-based, ubiquitous access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Broad network access relies on standard network protocols such as HTTPS (TCP/443), DNS, and TLS 1.2+ to enable encrypted communication between clients and cloud endpoints. In Microsoft 365, this is implemented via global front-end servers that route traffic to the appropriate tenant, using Azure Traffic Manager and geo-distributed points of presence to ensure low-latency access from any location. A subtle behavior is that while internet access is sufficient, organizations often use ExpressRoute for dedicated private connectivity, but this is an optional optimization, not a requirement for broad network access.
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-900 question in full detail.
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 is a core characteristic of cloud computing defined by NIST SP 800-145. It means that resources are available over the network and can be accessed by standard client platforms (e.g., laptops, tablets, smartphones) using only an internet connection, without requiring a dedicated private link or on-premises hardware. In this scenario, staff accessing Microsoft 365 from different locations via the internet directly demonstrates broad network access.
What should I do if I get this MS-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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Question Discussion
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