This MS-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe microsoft 365 apps and services. 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 uses Microsoft 365 E5 and wants to automatically classify sensitive emails containing credit card numbers and then apply encryption. Which solution should they use in combination with Microsoft Purview?
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Why wrong: Copilot is an AI tool, not for compliance.
Microsoft Intune
Why wrong: Intune is for mobile device management.
Microsoft Purview Information Protection
It provides auto-labeling and encryption.
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Why wrong: Defender is for threat protection.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Microsoft Purview Information Protection
Microsoft Purview Information Protection (formerly Azure Information Protection) enables automatic classification of sensitive data, such as credit card numbers, using built-in sensitive information types and exact data match (EDM) classifiers. When combined with sensitivity labels, it can automatically apply encryption (e.g., via Azure Rights Management) to emails containing that data, meeting the requirement without additional services.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Microsoft 365 Copilot
Why it's wrong here
Copilot is an AI tool, not for compliance.
Microsoft Intune
Why it's wrong here
Intune is for mobile device management.
Microsoft Purview Information Protection
Why this is correct
It provides auto-labeling and encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Microsoft Defender for Office 365
Why it's wrong here
Defender is for threat protection.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Microsoft Purview Information Protection with Microsoft Defender for Office 365, assuming threat protection includes data classification, when in fact Defender focuses on inbound/outbound threats and not on content-based sensitivity labels or encryption policies.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, Microsoft Purview Information Protection uses the Microsoft 365 built-in sensitive information type 'Credit Card Number' (defined by regex and Luhn check) to trigger a sensitivity label that applies encryption via Azure Rights Management (RMS). The label can be configured to automatically apply encryption with user-defined permissions (e.g., 'Do Not Forward') or predefined templates, ensuring the email is encrypted before delivery. In a real-world scenario, this prevents accidental exposure of credit card data in transit, even if the email is forwarded to unauthorized recipients.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
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FAQ
Describe Microsoft 365 apps and services — This question tests Describe Microsoft 365 apps and services — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Microsoft Purview Information Protection — Microsoft Purview Information Protection (formerly Azure Information Protection) enables automatic classification of sensitive data, such as credit card numbers, using built-in sensitive information types and exact data match (EDM) classifiers. When combined with sensitivity labels, it can automatically apply encryption (e.g., via Azure Rights Management) to emails containing that data, meeting the requirement without additional services.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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