Quick Answer
The answer is compliance policy in Intune, device registration in Microsoft Entra ID, and a Conditional Access policy targeting compliant devices. Device registration is the foundational component because Conditional Access evaluates a device’s compliance status based on its unique identity in Entra ID; without registration, the device lacks an identity that Entra ID can assess, making enforcement impossible. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Intune compliance policies and Entra ID device identities work together to gate email access—a common trap is forgetting that registration is required before a compliance policy can be evaluated. Remember the sequence: register the device, apply a compliance policy, then create a Conditional Access policy that requires compliant device status. A useful mnemonic is “RCP” for Register, Comply, Protect.
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 Microsoft Intune to manage devices. They need to ensure that only compliant devices can access corporate email. They plan to use Conditional Access in Microsoft Entra ID. Which THREE components must be configured?
Device registration in Entra ID
Devices must be registered to be evaluated.
Conditional Access policy in Entra ID
Enforces access control based on compliance.
Windows Autopilot deployment profile
Why wrong: Autopilot is for initial provisioning.
Compliance policy in Intune
Defines compliance requirements.
Configuration profile in Intune
Why wrong: Configuration profiles configure device settings, not compliance.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Device registration in Entra ID
Device registration in Entra ID (A) is required because Conditional Access policies evaluate device compliance based on the device's identity in Entra ID. Without registration, the device lacks a unique identity that Entra ID can assess for compliance status, making it impossible to enforce access controls based on device state.
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.
Device registration in Entra ID
Why this is correct
Devices must be registered to be evaluated.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Conditional Access policy in Entra ID
Why this is correct
Enforces access control based on compliance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Windows Autopilot deployment profile
Why it's wrong here
Autopilot is for initial provisioning.
Compliance policy in Intune
Why this is correct
Defines compliance requirements.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Configuration profile in Intune
Why it's wrong here
Configuration profiles configure device settings, not compliance.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Configuration profiles (which apply settings) with Compliance policies (which define security requirements), leading them to incorrectly select Configuration profile instead of Compliance policy for enforcing device-based access control.
Detailed technical explanation
Conditional Access in Entra ID evaluates device compliance by checking the device's registration object (device ID) against the compliance status reported by Intune via the Microsoft Graph API. The compliance policy in Intune defines conditions such as requiring BitLocker encryption or a minimum OS version, and the device must be enrolled in Intune MDM to report its compliance state. Without device registration, the device cannot be identified in the Entra ID directory, so the Conditional Access policy cannot apply the 'Require device to be marked as compliant' grant control.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All SC-100 questions
969 questions across all exam domains
Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
SC-100 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security solutions for infrastructure.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design a Zero Trust strategy and architecture.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security solutions for applications and data.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Evaluate GRC and security operations strategies.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security for infrastructure.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design a strategy for data and applications.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Recommend security best practices and priorities.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to SC-100 fundamentals.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to SC-100 scenario.
Practise SC-100 questions linked to SC-100 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — This question tests Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Device registration in Entra ID — Device registration in Entra ID (A) is required because Conditional Access policies evaluate device compliance based on the device's identity in Entra ID. Without registration, the device lacks a unique identity that Entra ID can assess for compliance status, making it impossible to enforce access controls based on device state.
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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company uses Microsoft Intune to manage devices. They need to ensure that only devices with a minimum OS version can access corporate email. Which policy type should they implement?
mediumWhy C: Option B is correct because compliance policies define conditions like minimum OS version, and conditional access enforces them. Option A is wrong because configuration profiles set settings, not enforce access. Option C is wrong because apps are not relevant. Option D is wrong because device enrollment restrictions are for enrollment, not access.
Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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.
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.
Sign in to join the discussion.