Quick Answer
The answer is the DeployIfNotExists effect. This is the correct choice because it enables Azure Policy to automatically remediate non-compliant resources by deploying a custom ARM template when a resource is found to be out of compliance, handling the entire remediation workflow without manual intervention. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your understanding of policy effects for automated compliance enforcement, often appearing in scenarios where you must choose between DeployIfNotExists and Modify—the key trap being that Modify alters existing resource properties but cannot deploy new resources or templates, while DeployIfNotExists is specifically designed for deploying templates to fix non-compliance. Remember the memory tip: "DeployIfNotExists deploys a template; Modify modifies properties."
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.
A company uses Azure Policy to enforce compliance. They want to automatically remediate non-compliant resources by deploying a custom template. Which effect should they use in the policy definition?
DeployIfNotExists
DeployIfNotExists triggers deployment of a template when a resource is non-compliant.
Audit
Why wrong: Audit only logs compliance status.
Disabled
Why wrong: Disabled turns off the policy.
Deny
Why wrong: Deny prevents creation but does not fix existing resources.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
DeployIfNotExists
The DeployIfNotExists effect is correct because it allows Azure Policy to automatically remediate non-compliant resources by deploying a custom ARM template when the resource is found to be non-compliant. This effect is specifically designed for automatic remediation scenarios, as it triggers a deployment to bring the resource into compliance without manual intervention.
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.
DeployIfNotExists
Why this is correct
DeployIfNotExists triggers deployment of a template when a resource is non-compliant.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Audit
Why it's wrong here
Audit only logs compliance status.
Disabled
Why it's wrong here
Disabled turns off the policy.
Deny
Why it's wrong here
Deny prevents creation but does not fix existing resources.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse DeployIfNotExists with Deny, thinking that blocking non-compliant resources is sufficient for remediation, but Deny only prevents future non-compliance and does not fix existing resources.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, DeployIfNotExists uses a managed identity assigned to the policy to execute the ARM template deployment, which must have the necessary permissions (e.g., Contributor role) on the target resource scope. A subtle behavior is that DeployIfNotExists only triggers during resource creation or update evaluation cycles, not on a fixed schedule, so existing non-compliant resources may require a manual trigger or a remediation task to be evaluated. In real-world scenarios, this effect is commonly used to automatically deploy diagnostic settings or network security groups to resources that lack them.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
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FAQ
Design security for infrastructure — This question tests Design security for infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: DeployIfNotExists — The DeployIfNotExists effect is correct because it allows Azure Policy to automatically remediate non-compliant resources by deploying a custom ARM template when the resource is found to be non-compliant. This effect is specifically designed for automatic remediation scenarios, as it triggers a deployment to bring the resource into compliance without manual intervention.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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