Courseiva
← SC-100
Full test
Question 964 of 969
Design security solutions for applications and data →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that the user-assigned managed identity lacks a Key Vault access policy to get secrets. When an Azure resource like a Function App uses a managed identity to reference a Key Vault secret in an ARM template, that identity must be explicitly granted the "Get" permission on the Key Vault’s access policy; without it, the runtime cannot retrieve the secret value, causing the deployment to fail. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how managed identities interact with Key Vault—a common trap is assuming the ARM template reference syntax alone handles permissions, when in fact the identity’s access policy is a separate prerequisite. Remember the mnemonic: "Identity first, policy second, secret third"—the identity must be authorized before any secret reference works.

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. 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.

Exhibit

{
  "identity": {
    "type": "UserAssigned",
    "userAssignedIdentities": {
      "/subscriptions/abc/resourceGroups/rg/providers/Microsoft.ManagedIdentity/userAssignedIdentities/mi-functions": {}
    }
  },
  "properties": {
    "siteConfig": {
      "appSettings": [
        {
          "name": "AzureWebJobsStorage",
          "value": "@Microsoft.KeyVault(SecretUri=https://kv-func.vault.azure.net/secrets/storage-connection)"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Refer to the exhibit. You are reviewing an ARM template for an Azure Function App. The function app uses a user-assigned managed identity and references a Key Vault secret for the storage connection string. The deployment fails because the function app cannot access the Key Vault secret. What is the most likely cause?

Clue words in this question

Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.

  • Clue: "most likely"

    Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →

Exhibit

{
  "identity": {
    "type": "UserAssigned",
    "userAssignedIdentities": {
      "/subscriptions/abc/resourceGroups/rg/providers/Microsoft.ManagedIdentity/userAssignedIdentities/mi-functions": {}
    }
  },
  "properties": {
    "siteConfig": {
      "appSettings": [
        {
          "name": "AzureWebJobsStorage",
          "value": "@Microsoft.KeyVault(SecretUri=https://kv-func.vault.azure.net/secrets/storage-connection)"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

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

✓

The user-assigned managed identity does not have a Key Vault access policy to get secrets

Option A is correct because the user-assigned managed identity must have a Key Vault access policy to read secrets. Option B is wrong because the secret name is 'storage-connection', not 'storage-connection-string'. Option C is wrong because the reference syntax is correct for Key Vault references. Option D is wrong because a custom DNS is not relevant.

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.

  • ✗

    The function app is configured with a custom DNS server that cannot resolve the Key Vault URI

    Why it's wrong here

    Custom DNS is unlikely to be configured for a simple Key Vault reference.

  • ✗

    The secret name in the URI does not match the actual secret name in Key Vault

    Why it's wrong here

    The secret name 'storage-connection' appears correct.

  • ✗

    The Key Vault reference syntax is incorrect; it should use '@Microsoft.KeyVault(SecretUri=...)'

    Why it's wrong here

    The syntax shown is correct for Key Vault references.

  • ✓

    The user-assigned managed identity does not have a Key Vault access policy to get secrets

    Why this is correct

    The identity needs an access policy to retrieve secrets from Key Vault.

    Clue confirmation

    The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.

    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.

Trap categories for this question

  • Command / output trap

    The syntax shown is correct for Key Vault references.

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 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.

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.

Related practice questions

Related SC-100 practice-question pages

Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.

Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities practice questions

Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities.

Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities practice questions

Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities.

Design security solutions for infrastructure practice questions

Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security solutions for infrastructure.

Design a Zero Trust strategy and architecture practice questions

Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design a Zero Trust strategy and architecture.

Design security solutions for applications and data practice questions

Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security solutions for applications and data.

Evaluate GRC and security operations strategies practice questions

Practise SC-100 questions linked to Evaluate GRC and security operations strategies.

Design security for infrastructure practice questions

Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security for infrastructure.

Design a strategy for data and applications practice questions

Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design a strategy for data and applications.

Recommend security best practices and priorities practice questions

Practise SC-100 questions linked to Recommend security best practices and priorities.

SC-100 fundamentals practice questions

Practise SC-100 questions linked to SC-100 fundamentals.

SC-100 scenario practice questions

Practise SC-100 questions linked to SC-100 scenario.

SC-100 troubleshooting practice questions

Practise SC-100 questions linked to SC-100 troubleshooting.

Practice this exam

Start a free SC-100 practice session

Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.

10 questions20 questions30 questions50 questionsTimed 30
SC-100 practice-test guide →Study guide →Browse all practice tests

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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The user-assigned managed identity does not have a Key Vault access policy to get secrets — Option A is correct because the user-assigned managed identity must have a Key Vault access policy to read secrets. Option B is wrong because the secret name is 'storage-connection', not 'storage-connection-string'. Option C is wrong because the reference syntax is correct for Key Vault references. Option D is wrong because a custom DNS is not relevant.

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.

Are there clue words in this question I should notice?

Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

About these practice questions

Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →

How Courseiva writes practice questions · Editorial policy

Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026

Question Discussion

Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.

Loading comments…

Sign in to join the discussion.

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.