- A
Configure Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager to assess compliance and block access.
Why wrong: Compliance Manager is for assessing compliance, not enforcing access.
- B
Create an app protection policy in Intune that requires minimum OS and encryption.
Why wrong: App protection policies are for app-level, not device-level compliance.
- C
Create a device compliance policy in Intune with the required settings, and create a Conditional Access policy that requires compliant devices.
Compliance policies define requirements; Conditional Access enforces them.
- D
Create a device configuration policy in Intune for the settings, and use Azure AD Identity Protection to block access.
Why wrong: Configuration policies do not enforce compliance; Identity Protection is for risk.
Quick Answer
The answer is to create a device compliance policy in Intune with the required settings, and create a Conditional Access policy that requires compliant devices. This combination works because the Intune compliance policy defines the security baselines—such as minimum OS version, encryption, and jailbreak detection—while the Conditional Access policy in Microsoft Entra ID enforces the gate, blocking access to corporate resources unless the device is marked compliant. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how device compliance policy and Conditional Access for resource access integrate as a layered defense; a common trap is confusing app protection policies (which protect data at the app level) with device-level compliance enforcement. Remember the memory tip: “Compliance sets the rules, Conditional Access enforces the school.”
SC-100 Practice Question: Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities
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.
Your organization uses Microsoft Intune for mobile device management and Microsoft Entra ID for identity. You are designing a solution to ensure that only devices that are compliant with security policies can access corporate resources. The requirements are: 1) Devices must have a minimum OS version. 2) Devices must have encryption enabled. 3) Devices must not be jailbroken or rooted. 4) Access to corporate apps must be blocked if the device is non-compliant. 5) The solution should automatically remediate non-compliant devices when possible. You need to recommend the minimum configuration. What should you do?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"minimum / minimize"Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create a device compliance policy in Intune with the required settings, and create a Conditional Access policy that requires compliant devices.
Option A is correct because Intune compliance policies define the requirements, and Conditional Access enforces access. Automatic remediation can be configured in compliance policies for some settings. Option B is incorrect because app protection policies do not enforce device-level compliance. Option C is incorrect because configuration policies do not enforce compliance. Option D is incorrect because only using Compliance Manager does not enforce 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 Microsoft Purview Compliance Manager to assess compliance and block access.
Why it's wrong here
Compliance Manager is for assessing compliance, not enforcing access.
- ✗
Create an app protection policy in Intune that requires minimum OS and encryption.
Why it's wrong here
App protection policies are for app-level, not device-level compliance.
- ✓
Create a device compliance policy in Intune with the required settings, and create a Conditional Access policy that requires compliant devices.
Why this is correct
Compliance policies define requirements; Conditional Access enforces them.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Create a device configuration policy in Intune for the settings, and use Azure AD Identity Protection to block access.
Why it's wrong here
Configuration policies do not enforce compliance; Identity Protection is for risk.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-100 question test?
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..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a device compliance policy in Intune with the required settings, and create a Conditional Access policy that requires compliant devices. — Option A is correct because Intune compliance policies define the requirements, and Conditional Access enforces access. Automatic remediation can be configured in compliance policies for some settings. Option B is incorrect because app protection policies do not enforce device-level compliance. Option C is incorrect because configuration policies do not enforce compliance. Option D is incorrect because only using Compliance Manager does not enforce 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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
1 more ways this is tested on SC-100
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. Your organization uses Microsoft Intune to manage Windows 10 devices. You need to ensure that only devices with a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) version 2.0 can access corporate resources. What should you configure?
medium- ✓ A.Create a device compliance policy that requires TPM 2.0 and use Conditional Access to block non-compliant devices
- B.Use Windows Update for Business to ensure TPM firmware is updated
- C.Configure device enrollment restrictions to require TPM 2.0
- D.Deploy a device configuration profile that enables TPM 2.0
Why A: A device compliance policy in Microsoft Intune can check for TPM 2.0 presence and version. When combined with a Conditional Access policy that blocks non-compliant devices, only devices meeting the TPM 2.0 requirement can access corporate resources. This is the correct approach because Conditional Access enforces the compliance check at the authentication and authorization layer.
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.
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