- A
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Why wrong: DLP can detect PHI and trigger encryption, but the actual encryption is performed by Message Encryption. The solution configured for encryption is Message Encryption.
- B
Sensitivity labels
Why wrong: Sensitivity labels can be set to encrypt emails, but they require user intervention to apply, and the scenario requires automatic classification of PHI. Auto-labeling for emails is less straightforward than DLP.
- C
Microsoft Purview Message Encryption
Message Encryption provides the ability to encrypt emails and allow external recipients to read them securely. It integrates with DLP for automatic encryption.
- D
Information protection policies
Why wrong: This is a broad category; the specific solution for email encryption is Message Encryption.
MS-900 Practice Question: Describe security, compliance, privacy, and trust in Microsoft 365
This MS-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe security, compliance, privacy, and trust in microsoft 365. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 healthcare organization must ensure that all outgoing emails containing protected health information (PHI) are automatically encrypted. External recipients must be able to read the encrypted messages without installing any software or signing up for a service. Which Microsoft Purview solution should be configured?
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
Microsoft Purview Message Encryption
Microsoft Purview Message Encryption (C) is the correct solution because it enables automatic encryption of outgoing emails based on rules (e.g., detecting PHI) and allows external recipients to read encrypted messages via a secure web portal or inline rendering in supported email clients, without requiring any software installation or account sign-up. This directly meets the requirement for seamless, no-friction decryption by external parties.
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.
- ✗
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Why it's wrong here
DLP can detect PHI and trigger encryption, but the actual encryption is performed by Message Encryption. The solution configured for encryption is Message Encryption.
- ✗
Sensitivity labels
Why it's wrong here
Sensitivity labels can be set to encrypt emails, but they require user intervention to apply, and the scenario requires automatic classification of PHI. Auto-labeling for emails is less straightforward than DLP.
- ✓
Microsoft Purview Message Encryption
Why this is correct
Message Encryption provides the ability to encrypt emails and allow external recipients to read them securely. It integrates with DLP for automatic encryption.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Information protection policies
Why it's wrong here
This is a broad category; the specific solution for email encryption is Message Encryption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Data Loss Prevention (DLP) with encryption, assuming DLP automatically encrypts outgoing emails, when in fact DLP only detects and blocks or alerts, while Microsoft Purview Message Encryption is the specific service that provides automatic encryption with external-reader access.
Trap categories for this question
Scenario analysis trap
Sensitivity labels can be set to encrypt emails, but they require user intervention to apply, and the scenario requires automatic classification of PHI. Auto-labeling for emails is less straightforward than DLP.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Microsoft Purview Message Encryption leverages Azure Rights Management (Azure RMS) to encrypt emails, and for external recipients without an Azure AD identity, it generates a one-time passcode (OTP) sent to their email address, allowing them to access the encrypted message via a secure web portal. This OTP-based flow is defined in the mail flow rules (transport rules) in Exchange Online, which can be triggered by conditions like 'content contains sensitive information type' for PHI. In real-world scenarios, this ensures compliance with regulations like HIPAA while maintaining usability for partners or patients who may not have Microsoft accounts.
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 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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this MS-900 question test?
Describe security, compliance, privacy, and trust in Microsoft 365 — This question tests Describe security, compliance, privacy, and trust in Microsoft 365 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Microsoft Purview Message Encryption — Microsoft Purview Message Encryption (C) is the correct solution because it enables automatic encryption of outgoing emails based on rules (e.g., detecting PHI) and allows external recipients to read encrypted messages via a secure web portal or inline rendering in supported email clients, without requiring any software installation or account sign-up. This directly meets the requirement for seamless, no-friction decryption by external parties.
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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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This MS-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 MS-900 exam.
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