The correct answer is to integrate Microsoft Defender for Cloud with Azure Container Registry scanning and configure a GitHub Actions step to check scan results. This works because Defender for Cloud provides native vulnerability assessment for container images stored in ACR, and its API can be queried from a GitHub Actions workflow to evaluate scan findings and fail the pipeline if critical vulnerabilities are detected. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to embed security controls into a CI/CD pipeline using Defender for Cloud’s container image vulnerability scanning capabilities, a common trap being to confuse Azure Policy (which enforces compliance but cannot scan images) or to think Azure Security Center is a separate service when it is now consolidated under Defender for Cloud. A useful memory tip is to remember that Defender for Cloud “defends” your containers by scanning images at rest in ACR, while GitHub Actions “acts” on those results to block the build.
SC-100 Practice Question: Design security solutions for applications and data
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for applications and data. 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.
You are designing a secure DevOps pipeline using GitHub Actions and Azure. The security team requires that all container images pushed to Azure Container Registry (ACR) are scanned for vulnerabilities before deployment. If critical vulnerabilities are found, the pipeline must fail. What should you integrate into the pipeline?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Integrate Microsoft Defender for Cloud with Azure Container Registry scanning and configure a GitHub Actions step to check scan results
Option A is correct because Microsoft Defender for Cloud can scan container images in ACR for vulnerabilities and integrate with GitHub Actions to fail the pipeline on critical findings. Option B is wrong because Azure Security Center is now part of Defender for Cloud. Option C is wrong because Azure Policy can enforce compliance but not scan images. Option D is wrong because Azure Bastion is for secure remote access.
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.
✗
Configure Azure Policy to require image scanning before deployment
Why it's wrong here
Azure Policy can enforce tags but not scan images.
✓
Integrate Microsoft Defender for Cloud with Azure Container Registry scanning and configure a GitHub Actions step to check scan results
Why this is correct
Defender for Cloud provides vulnerability scanning for ACR images and can be queried via API.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Deploy Azure Bastion to scan images during build
Why it's wrong here
Azure Bastion is a jump server service, not for image scanning.
✗
Use Azure Security Center (legacy) to scan images on push
Why it's wrong here
Azure Security Center is deprecated; Defender for Cloud is the current service.
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 applications and data — This question tests Design security solutions for applications and data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Integrate Microsoft Defender for Cloud with Azure Container Registry scanning and configure a GitHub Actions step to check scan results — Option A is correct because Microsoft Defender for Cloud can scan container images in ACR for vulnerabilities and integrate with GitHub Actions to fail the pipeline on critical findings. Option B is wrong because Azure Security Center is now part of Defender for Cloud. Option C is wrong because Azure Policy can enforce compliance but not scan images. Option D is wrong because Azure Bastion is for secure remote access.
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.
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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