The correct answer is to implement Kubernetes network policies for pod-to-pod traffic control and Azure Key Vault with the CSI driver for secrets encryption at rest. Network policies act as a built-in Kubernetes firewall, allowing you to define ingress and egress rules that explicitly deny all pod communication unless a policy permits it, which directly addresses the requirement to restrict inter-pod traffic. For secrets encryption, the Key Vault CSI driver mounts secrets directly from Azure Key Vault into pods, ensuring they are encrypted at rest in a managed hardware security module (HSM) rather than stored in plaintext within etcd. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between network segmentation controls and encryption mechanisms, a common trap being to confuse Azure AD integration (authentication) or Azure Policy (governance) with these specific security layers. Remember the mnemonic “Pods need Policies, Secrets need Vaults” to pair the correct controls for AKS pod communication and secrets encryption.
SC-100 Design security solutions for infrastructure Practice Question
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for infrastructure. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 wants to secure its Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) cluster. They need to ensure that pods cannot communicate with each other unless explicitly allowed, and that secrets are encrypted at rest. Which TWO security controls should they implement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Use Azure Key Vault with Secrets Store CSI driver for secret management.
Correct answers: A and C. Network policies in Kubernetes can restrict pod-to-pod communication, and Azure Key Vault with CSI driver allows secrets to be encrypted and stored externally. Option B is incorrect: Azure AD integration is for authentication, not network or encryption. Option D is incorrect: Azure Policy can enforce image source, not pod communication. Option E is incorrect: Container insights is for monitoring.
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.
✓
Use Azure Key Vault with Secrets Store CSI driver for secret management.
Why this is correct
Provides encryption and secure storage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Apply Azure Policy to restrict container image sources.
Why it's wrong here
Does not address pod communication.
✓
Define Kubernetes network policies to restrict pod-to-pod traffic.
Why this is correct
Network policies control pod communication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Enable Container insights for monitoring.
Why it's wrong here
Monitoring, not control.
✗
Enable Azure AD integration for the AKS cluster.
Why it's wrong here
Not for network or encryption.
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 infrastructure — This question tests Design security solutions for infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Azure Key Vault with Secrets Store CSI driver for secret management. — Correct answers: A and C. Network policies in Kubernetes can restrict pod-to-pod communication, and Azure Key Vault with CSI driver allows secrets to be encrypted and stored externally. Option B is incorrect: Azure AD integration is for authentication, not network or encryption. Option D is incorrect: Azure Policy can enforce image source, not pod communication. Option E is incorrect: Container insights is for monitoring.
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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