The correct actions are to use Azure Key Vault Provider for Secrets Store CSI Driver to mount secrets as volumes and enable pod identity with managed identity to authorize pod access. The CSI driver securely injects secrets from Key Vault directly into pod volumes, eliminating the need to store sensitive data in insecure ConfigMaps or environment variables, while pod identity assigns an Azure AD managed identity to each pod, allowing fine-grained access control to Key Vault via role-based permissions. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of secret management in AKS, often appearing as a paired-choice question where you must distinguish secure methods from common pitfalls like storing secrets in ConfigMaps or relying on network policies for access control. A common trap is confusing pod identity with network policies, but remember: identity governs who can read secrets, while network policies only control traffic flow. Memory tip: “Mount and authorize—CSI for secrets, identity for access.”
SC-100 Practice Question: Design security solutions for applications and data
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for applications and data. 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 is designing a security solution for a new application that will be deployed on Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). They need to protect secrets and ensure that only authorized pods can access them. Which TWO actions should they take? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable pod identity to assign managed identities to pods for Key Vault access
Using Azure Key Vault Provider for Secrets Store CSI Driver (Option A) allows pods to mount secrets from Key Vault. Enabling pod identity with managed identity (Option C) ensures that only authorized pods can access Key Vault. Option B is wrong because storing secrets in ConfigMaps is not secure. Option D is wrong because Azure Disk Encryption does not apply to secrets. Option E is wrong because Network Policies control traffic, not secrets 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.
✓
Enable pod identity to assign managed identities to pods for Key Vault access
Why this is correct
Pod identity allows pods to authenticate to Key Vault using managed identities
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Configure network policies to restrict pod-to-pod traffic
Why it's wrong here
Network policies control traffic flow, not access to secrets
✗
Store secrets in Kubernetes ConfigMaps
Why it's wrong here
ConfigMaps store data in plaintext and are not secure for secrets
✗
Enable Azure Disk Encryption for AKS nodes
Why it's wrong here
Azure Disk Encryption encrypts disks, not secrets access
✓
Use Azure Key Vault Provider for Secrets Store CSI Driver to mount secrets as volumes
Why this is correct
This driver securely mounts secrets from Key Vault to pods
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 SC-100 question in full detail.
Identify which SC-100 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Design security solutions for applications and data — This question tests Design security solutions for applications and data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable pod identity to assign managed identities to pods for Key Vault access — Using Azure Key Vault Provider for Secrets Store CSI Driver (Option A) allows pods to mount secrets from Key Vault. Enabling pod identity with managed identity (Option C) ensures that only authorized pods can access Key Vault. Option B is wrong because storing secrets in ConfigMaps is not secure. Option D is wrong because Azure Disk Encryption does not apply to secrets. Option E is wrong because Network Policies control traffic, not secrets access.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Identify which SC-100 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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