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. A key principle to apply: microsoft is responsible for the security *of* the cloud.. 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 service owner is comparing Microsoft 365 capabilities and needs to understand which security tasks Microsoft handles and which remain with the customer. Cloud concept or benefit best matches this requirement?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Shared responsibility model
The shared responsibility model defines which security tasks are handled by Microsoft (e.g., physical security, hypervisor patching) and which remain with the customer (e.g., user access management, data classification). This directly matches the service owner's need to understand the division of security responsibilities in Microsoft 365.
Key principle: Microsoft is responsible for the security *of* the cloud.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Microsoft Planner
Why it's wrong here
Planner manages tasks and does not describe this cloud model or benefit.
✗
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Why it's wrong here
DLP protects sensitive information from inappropriate sharing, not this cloud concept.
✗
Sensitivity labels
Why it's wrong here
Sensitivity labels classify and protect content, not this cloud concept.
✓
Shared responsibility model
Why this is correct
The shared responsibility model explains provider and customer responsibilities in cloud services.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Microsoft is responsible for the security *of* the cloud.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse specific security features (like DLP or sensitivity labels) with the overarching responsibility framework, failing to recognize that the shared responsibility model is the foundational concept that explains the division of security tasks.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the shared responsibility model, Microsoft is responsible for 'security of the cloud' (e.g., physical datacenters, network infrastructure, hypervisor isolation), while the customer is responsible for 'security in the cloud' (e.g., identity management via Azure AD, device compliance, data classification with sensitivity labels, and DLP policies). This model is documented in the Microsoft Service Trust Portal and varies by service type (SaaS, PaaS, IaaS), with Microsoft 365 being a SaaS offering where Microsoft handles more underlying infrastructure but customers still own their data and user access.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Microsoft is responsible for the security *of* the cloud.
Customers are responsible for security *in* the cloud.
Responsibilities vary based on the cloud service model (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS).
For SaaS like Microsoft 365, Microsoft handles more, but customer responsibility remains significant.
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
Microsoft is responsible for the security *of* the cloud.
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 — Microsoft is responsible for the security *of* the cloud..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Shared responsibility model — The shared responsibility model defines which security tasks are handled by Microsoft (e.g., physical security, hypervisor patching) and which remain with the customer (e.g., user access management, data classification). This directly matches the service owner's need to understand the division of security responsibilities in Microsoft 365.
What should I do if I get this MS-900 question wrong?
Review microsoft is responsible for the security *of* the cloud., then practise related MS-900 questions on the same topic to reinforce the concept.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Microsoft is responsible for the security *of* the cloud.
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