Quick Answer
The answer is GitHub secret scanning. This tool is specifically designed to detect secrets in GitHub repository content, such as API keys, tokens, and credentials, by automatically scanning every commit and alerting when a known pattern matches a secret format. For the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your understanding of how GitHub Advanced Security components map to distinct security functions within a DevOps pipeline, where secret scanning is the dedicated solution for credential leakage prevention. A common trap is confusing secret scanning with Dependabot, which handles vulnerable dependencies, or CodeQL, which focuses on code quality and logic flaws—neither scans for hardcoded secrets. Remember the mnemonic: Secrets are Spilled, Scanning is the Solution; Dependencies are Dangerous, Dependabot is the Defender.
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for infrastructure. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 Advanced Security and Microsoft Defender for Cloud. The development team uses a mix of Python and JavaScript. Which tool should you integrate to detect secrets (e.g., API keys) committed to the repository?
GitHub secret scanning
Secret scanning detects tokens, keys, and other secrets in repositories.
CodeQL code scanning
Why wrong: CodeQL performs SAST, not secret detection.
Dependabot alerts
Why wrong: Dependabot alerts notify about vulnerable dependencies.
Defender for Cloud DevOps security posture management
Why wrong: Defender for Cloud provides recommendations but not secret scanning.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
GitHub secret scanning
Option A is correct because GitHub secret scanning automatically detects secrets in repositories. Option B is wrong because Dependabot focuses on dependency vulnerabilities. Option C is wrong because CodeQL analyzes code for security vulnerabilities, not secrets. Option D is wrong because Defender for Cloud’s DevOps security posture management does not replace secret scanning.
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.
GitHub secret scanning
Why this is correct
Secret scanning detects tokens, keys, and other secrets in repositories.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
CodeQL code scanning
Why it's wrong here
CodeQL performs SAST, not secret detection.
Dependabot alerts
Why it's wrong here
Dependabot alerts notify about vulnerable dependencies.
Defender for Cloud DevOps security posture management
Why it's wrong here
Defender for Cloud provides recommendations but not secret scanning.
Common exam traps
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
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.
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
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Design security solutions for infrastructure 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 solutions for infrastructure — This question tests Design security solutions for infrastructure — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: GitHub secret scanning — Option A is correct because GitHub secret scanning automatically detects secrets in repositories. Option B is wrong because Dependabot focuses on dependency vulnerabilities. Option C is wrong because CodeQL analyzes code for security vulnerabilities, not secrets. Option D is wrong because Defender for Cloud’s DevOps security posture management does not replace secret scanning.
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.
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 →
Keep practising
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 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.