The correct answer is that the administrator password is hardcoded in plain text, which violates a fundamental security best practice. Hardcoding credentials directly into a Bicep template exposes them to anyone with access to the code repository, making them a prime target for compromise. This is a critical flaw because Azure Key Vault should be used to securely store and reference secrets, such as the administrator password, using a `getSecret` reference or a module parameter. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of secure infrastructure-as-code principles, often appearing as a trap where candidates focus on network or encryption settings while overlooking the plaintext credential. A common memory tip is "never hardcode, always vault" — if you see a password string directly in a template, it is automatically a violation, regardless of other secure configurations like disabled public access or enforced TLS 1.2.
SC-100 Design security solutions for infrastructure Practice Question
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions 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.
Refer to the exhibit. You are reviewing a Bicep template for deploying an Azure SQL Database server. Which security best practice is violated?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Administrator password is hardcoded in plain text.
Option D is correct because hardcoding passwords in code is a security risk. Option A is wrong because publicNetworkAccess is disabled. Option B is wrong because TLS version is set to 1.2. Option C is wrong because Azure SQL does not require Azure AD auth by default.
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.
✗
Minimal TLS version is set to 1.2, which is acceptable.
Why it's wrong here
1.2 is the minimum recommended.
✓
Administrator password is hardcoded in plain text.
Why this is correct
Passwords should not be in code; use Azure Key Vault.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Public network access is disabled, which may affect connectivity.
Why it's wrong here
Disabled is secure.
✗
Azure AD authentication is not configured.
Why it's wrong here
Desirable but not a violation of best practice.
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.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-100 question in full detail.
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.
Design security solutions for infrastructure — This question tests Design security solutions for infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Administrator password is hardcoded in plain text. — Option D is correct because hardcoding passwords in code is a security risk. Option A is wrong because publicNetworkAccess is disabled. Option B is wrong because TLS version is set to 1.2. Option C is wrong because Azure SQL does not require Azure AD auth by default.
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: "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.
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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