Quick Answer
The answer is to require app protection policies via Microsoft Intune. This is correct because Intune app protection policies (APP) allow you to enforce data security controls—such as requiring a managed browser, blocking copy/paste, or encrypting app data—directly on the application layer, without needing the personal device to be enrolled in Intune. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to apply zero-trust principles to unmanaged devices, a common trap where candidates mistakenly choose device enrollment or blocking access entirely. Remember, the key distinction is that conditional access can check for app-level compliance rather than device-level compliance, enabling you to allow personal devices not enrolled in Intune with conditional access while still maintaining security. A useful memory tip: think “APP before DEP”—app protection policies come before device enrollment when dealing with personal devices.
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 implementing a zero-trust security model. They need to enforce conditional access policies that require device compliance from Microsoft Intune. However, some users report being blocked when using personal devices that are not enrolled. What is the best approach to allow access while maintaining security?
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.
Allow all devices but monitor with Defender for Cloud Apps
Why wrong: Monitoring does not enforce compliance.
Require app protection policies via Microsoft Intune
App protection policies protect data without full enrollment.
Block all non-compliant devices
Why wrong: Blocks personal devices without flexibility.
Require device enrollment for all devices
Why wrong: Personal devices cannot be enrolled.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Require app protection policies via Microsoft Intune
Option B is correct because Microsoft Intune app protection policies (APP) can enforce data protection and access controls on personal devices without requiring full enrollment. This allows the company to maintain a zero-trust posture by applying conditional access policies that check for app-level compliance, such as requiring a managed browser or blocking copy/paste, while still permitting access from unenrolled personal devices. This approach aligns with the zero-trust principle of 'never trust, always verify' by verifying device health at the application layer rather than the device layer.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Allow all devices but monitor with Defender for Cloud Apps
Why it's wrong here
Monitoring does not enforce compliance.
Require app protection policies via Microsoft Intune
Why this is correct
App protection policies protect data without full enrollment.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Block all non-compliant devices
Why it's wrong here
Blocks personal devices without flexibility.
Require device enrollment for all devices
Why it's wrong here
Personal devices cannot be enrolled.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often assume device compliance (via Intune enrollment) is the only way to enforce zero-trust access, overlooking that app protection policies can achieve similar security controls on unmanaged devices without requiring full device enrollment.
Detailed technical explanation
Intune app protection policies use the Intune SDK to enforce data loss prevention (DLP) controls at the application level, such as requiring a PIN, encrypting app data, and restricting cut/copy/paste operations. These policies can be applied to Microsoft 365 apps (e.g., Outlook, Teams) on both enrolled and unenrolled devices, leveraging the Microsoft Authentication Library (MSAL) to enforce conditional access grants like 'Require approved client app' or 'Require app protection policy'. In a real-world scenario, a user with an unenrolled Android device can still access corporate email via Outlook if the app has an Intune APP policy applied, while a device without the policy would be blocked by Azure AD Conditional Access.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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FAQ
Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — This question tests Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Require app protection policies via Microsoft Intune — Option B is correct because Microsoft Intune app protection policies (APP) can enforce data protection and access controls on personal devices without requiring full enrollment. This allows the company to maintain a zero-trust posture by applying conditional access policies that check for app-level compliance, such as requiring a managed browser or blocking copy/paste, while still permitting access from unenrolled personal devices. This approach aligns with the zero-trust principle of 'never trust, always verify' by verifying device health at the application layer rather than the device layer.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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