The correct answer is that Azure DDoS Protection provides cost protection through service credits. This is true because when a validated attack triggers Azure DDoS Protection, Microsoft automatically applies service credits to cover the scaled resources used during the attack, preventing customers from being billed for the extra capacity consumed by the volumetric traffic. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this concept tests your understanding of how Azure DDoS Protection operates primarily at Layers 3 and 4 of the OSI model for network and transport layer attacks, while a common trap is confusing its Layer 3/4 scope with application-layer mitigation—remember that Layer 7 protection requires pairing with Azure Application Gateway WAF. A useful memory tip is to think "DDoS for volume, WAF for content," reinforcing that Azure DDoS Protection handles the flood while the WAF inspects the payload.
SC-100 Design security for infrastructure Practice Question
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security for infrastructure. 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.
Which TWO of the following are true about Azure DDoS Protection?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It can be used to protect against application-layer attacks when combined with WAF
Option C is correct because Azure DDoS Protection operates at Layers 3 and 4 of the OSI model, but when combined with Azure Application Gateway WAF (Web Application Firewall), it can also mitigate application-layer (Layer 7) attacks such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting. The WAF inspects HTTP/HTTPS traffic and blocks malicious payloads, while Azure DDoS Protection handles volumetric attacks, providing a layered defense.
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.
✗
It automatically blocks all traffic during an attack
Why it's wrong here
It filters malicious traffic, not all traffic.
✗
It protects VMs from internal traffic attacks
Why it's wrong here
DDoS Protection is for edge, not internal traffic.
✓
It can be used to protect against application-layer attacks when combined with WAF
Why this is correct
Together with WAF, it can mitigate application-layer DDoS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
It provides cost protection through service credits
Why this is correct
Azure provides credit if DDoS attack causes scale-out costs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
It provides a monthly allowance of attacks
Why it's wrong here
No monthly allowance; pay-as-you-go.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume Azure DDoS Protection alone handles all layers, including Layer 7, but it only covers Layers 3 and 4 natively, requiring WAF integration for application-layer protection.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Azure DDoS Protection uses a combination of always-on traffic monitoring, adaptive real-time tuning, and mitigation policies based on machine learning models to detect anomalies. During an attack, it scrubs traffic at the Azure network edge, using BGP routing to divert traffic through mitigation pipelines. The service integrates with Azure Monitor and Azure Security Center for telemetry, and the cost protection benefit is triggered when a DDoS attack is confirmed by the Azure DDoS Protection team, automatically applying service credits for any additional resource costs incurred due to scaling during the attack.
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.
TExam Day Tips
→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 startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-100 question in full detail.
Design security for infrastructure — This question tests Design security for infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It can be used to protect against application-layer attacks when combined with WAF — Option C is correct because Azure DDoS Protection operates at Layers 3 and 4 of the OSI model, but when combined with Azure Application Gateway WAF (Web Application Firewall), it can also mitigate application-layer (Layer 7) attacks such as SQL injection or cross-site scripting. The WAF inspects HTTP/HTTPS traffic and blocks malicious payloads, while Azure DDoS Protection handles volumetric attacks, providing a layered defense.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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