The correct configuration requires two separate Conditional Access policies: one targeting all cloud apps except Microsoft 365 to block access from untrusted locations, and a second targeting Office 365 to require a compliant device. This approach is necessary because a single Conditional Access policy applies uniform conditions and controls to all selected apps; you cannot mix different grant controls—like location-based blocking and device compliance—for different app groups within one policy. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of policy isolation and the granularity of Conditional Access assignments, often appearing as a trap where candidates try to combine all rules into one policy. A common mistake is using session controls from Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, which only monitor or restrict sessions rather than block initial access. Memory tip: think of it as “separate policies for separate app behaviors”—one policy for location, one for device health.
SC-100 Design security solutions for infrastructure Practice Question
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for infrastructure. 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.
A multinational corporation uses Microsoft Entra ID for identity and Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps for SaaS app governance. The security team wants to deploy a conditional access policy that blocks access from untrusted locations for all cloud apps except Microsoft 365, which should only be blocked if the device is not compliant. How should you configure the policy?
Use a session policy in Defender for Cloud Apps to monitor non-compliant devices.
Why wrong: Session policies do not enforce blocking.
B
Create two conditional access policies: one for all cloud apps except Microsoft 365 blocking untrusted locations, and one for Microsoft 365 requiring compliant device.
Two policies achieve the desired granularity.
C
Create one conditional access policy that includes all cloud apps and requires compliant device for Microsoft 365 only.
Why wrong: Not possible; conditions apply to all included apps.
D
Configure a conditional access policy that blocks access from untrusted locations for all apps.
Why wrong: Would block Microsoft 365 even from compliant devices.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Create two conditional access policies: one for all cloud apps except Microsoft 365 blocking untrusted locations, and one for Microsoft 365 requiring compliant device.
Option D is correct because you can use two policies: one targeting 'All cloud apps' blocking untrusted locations (excluding Microsoft 365), and another targeting 'Office 365' requiring compliant device. Option A is incorrect because a single policy cannot have different conditions for different apps. Option B is incorrect because session controls are for monitoring, not blocking. Option C is incorrect because blocking access would be too restrictive.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Use a session policy in Defender for Cloud Apps to monitor non-compliant devices.
Why it's wrong here
Session policies do not enforce blocking.
✓
Create two conditional access policies: one for all cloud apps except Microsoft 365 blocking untrusted locations, and one for Microsoft 365 requiring compliant device.
Why this is correct
Two policies achieve the desired granularity.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Create one conditional access policy that includes all cloud apps and requires compliant device for Microsoft 365 only.
Why it's wrong here
Not possible; conditions apply to all included apps.
✗
Configure a conditional access policy that blocks access from untrusted locations for all apps.
Why it's wrong here
Would block Microsoft 365 even from compliant devices.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SC-100 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Design security solutions for infrastructure — This question tests Design security solutions for infrastructure — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create two conditional access policies: one for all cloud apps except Microsoft 365 blocking untrusted locations, and one for Microsoft 365 requiring compliant device. — Option D is correct because you can use two policies: one targeting 'All cloud apps' blocking untrusted locations (excluding Microsoft 365), and another targeting 'Office 365' requiring compliant device. Option A is incorrect because a single policy cannot have different conditions for different apps. Option B is incorrect because session controls are for monitoring, not blocking. Option C is incorrect because blocking access would be too restrictive.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SC-100 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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