- A
Use Microsoft Purview to scan and classify data. Auto-apply sensitivity labels. Implement Azure AD authentication and row-level security in Azure SQL Database. Enable auditing and send to Log Analytics.
Automated classification, granular access control, and auditing.
- B
Use Microsoft Purview to scan and classify data. Apply sensitivity labels manually. Configure Azure SQL Database firewall to block all but admin. Use Azure SQL auditing.
Why wrong: Manual labeling is not automatic; firewall blocks all users, not granular access control.
- C
Use Microsoft Defender for Cloud to identify sensitive data. Implement Azure SQL Database always encrypted. Use Azure Monitor to log queries.
Why wrong: Defender for Cloud does not classify data; Always Encrypted is column-level but requires client-side changes.
- D
Use Microsoft Purview to classify data. Apply data masking in Azure SQL Database for PHI columns. Use Azure SQL Database threat detection.
Why wrong: Data masking does not prevent access; it only obfuscates data for users with privileges.
Quick Answer
The answer is to implement Microsoft Purview for scanning and classification, auto-apply sensitivity labels, enforce Azure AD authentication with row-level security in Azure SQL Database, and enable auditing sent to Log Analytics. This solution directly addresses the need to classify and protect PHI data exported from Azure SQL and Data Lake by using Purview’s automated scanning to identify sensitive fields, then applying sensitivity labels that travel with the data to external locations. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your ability to combine data governance with access control and auditing—a common trap is choosing data masking (which obfuscates but does not prevent access) or Azure Information Protection alone (which lacks SQL-level restrictions). Remember the mnemonic “SCAN, LABEL, LOCK, LOG”: Purview scans and labels, row-level security locks rows, and auditing logs everything to Log Analytics.
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 healthcare organization is using Microsoft Purview to govern its data estate. They have multiple Azure Data Lake Storage accounts and Azure SQL Databases. They need to classify sensitive data such as patient health information (PHI) and apply protection automatically when data is exported from these sources to an external location. The organization also wants to prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data in Azure SQL Database by using built-in security features. The compliance team requires that any access to sensitive data be logged and auditable. You need to design a solution that meets these requirements. What should you implement?
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
Use Microsoft Purview to scan and classify data. Auto-apply sensitivity labels. Implement Azure AD authentication and row-level security in Azure SQL Database. Enable auditing and send to Log Analytics.
Microsoft Purview can scan data sources and classify sensitive data. Sensitivity labels can be applied automatically based on classification. Azure SQL Database supports Azure AD authentication and row-level security to restrict access. Auditing logs can be sent to Log Analytics. Option B combines all these. Option A uses Azure Information Protection (now part of Purview) but does not cover SQL access control. Option C uses data masking which doesn't prevent access. Option D uses Defender for Cloud but not data classification.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 Microsoft Purview to scan and classify data. Auto-apply sensitivity labels. Implement Azure AD authentication and row-level security in Azure SQL Database. Enable auditing and send to Log Analytics.
Why this is correct
Automated classification, granular access control, and auditing.
Related concept
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- ✗
Use Microsoft Purview to scan and classify data. Apply sensitivity labels manually. Configure Azure SQL Database firewall to block all but admin. Use Azure SQL auditing.
Why it's wrong here
Manual labeling is not automatic; firewall blocks all users, not granular access control.
- ✗
Use Microsoft Defender for Cloud to identify sensitive data. Implement Azure SQL Database always encrypted. Use Azure Monitor to log queries.
Why it's wrong here
Defender for Cloud does not classify data; Always Encrypted is column-level but requires client-side changes.
- ✗
Use Microsoft Purview to classify data. Apply data masking in Azure SQL Database for PHI columns. Use Azure SQL Database threat detection.
Why it's wrong here
Data masking does not prevent access; it only obfuscates data for users with privileges.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
- Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
- Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
- The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
- Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
- Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
- Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SC-100 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
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Design security solutions for applications and data — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-100 question test?
Design security solutions for applications and data — This question tests Design security solutions for applications and data — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use Microsoft Purview to scan and classify data. Auto-apply sensitivity labels. Implement Azure AD authentication and row-level security in Azure SQL Database. Enable auditing and send to Log Analytics. — Microsoft Purview can scan data sources and classify sensitive data. Sensitivity labels can be applied automatically based on classification. Azure SQL Database supports Azure AD authentication and row-level security to restrict access. Auditing logs can be sent to Log Analytics. Option B combines all these. Option A uses Azure Information Protection (now part of Purview) but does not cover SQL access control. Option C uses data masking which doesn't prevent access. Option D uses Defender for Cloud but not data classification.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SC-100 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
This SC-100 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 SC-100 exam.
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