- A
Use application-level encryption between tiers, deploy Azure Application Gateway with WAF in front of the web tier, and use a service principal to access SQL Server.
Why wrong: Application-level encryption is not standard for tier-to-tier communication. Service principal is less secure than managed identity.
- B
Use SSL/TLS termination at the Azure Load Balancer, deploy Azure Front Door with WAF, and use a managed identity for the web tier to access SQL Server.
Why wrong: SSL/TLS termination at load balancer means traffic between tiers is unencrypted. Web tier should not access database directly.
- C
Use IPsec encryption between tiers, deploy Azure Application Gateway with WAF, and use a managed identity for the web tier to access SQL Server.
Why wrong: Web tier should not have direct database access; application tier should.
- D
Use IPsec encryption between tiers, deploy Azure Application Gateway with WAF in front of the web tier, and use a managed identity for the application tier to access SQL Server.
IPsec encrypts traffic between VMs, WAF protects web tier, and managed identity provides secure database access from the application tier.
Quick Answer
The correct design uses IPsec encryption between tiers, Azure Application Gateway with WAF in front of the web tier, and a managed identity for the application tier to access SQL Server. IPsec provides network-layer encryption for all traffic between Azure VM tiers, ensuring data remains protected even within the virtual network, while the WAF defends the web tier against common exploits like SQL injection and cross-site scripting. The managed identity eliminates the need for stored credentials, allowing the application tier to authenticate securely to Azure SQL Database without secrets. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your ability to layer security controls—network encryption, edge protection, and identity-based access—without relying on application-level encryption or exposing the database directly to the web tier. A common trap is assuming SSL/TLS termination at a load balancer encrypts internal traffic, but that only protects the client-to-load-balancer leg; IPsec is required for east-west encryption. Memory tip: think “IPsec inside, WAF at the edge, managed identity for the database.”
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.
A software company, SouthRidge, is deploying a multi-tier application on Azure Virtual Machines. The web tier runs IIS, the application tier runs a .NET application, and the data tier runs SQL Server. You need to ensure that all traffic between tiers is encrypted, and that the application tier can access the database using a managed identity. The solution should also include a web application firewall (WAF) to protect the web tier from common attacks. Which of the following designs should you use?
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
Use IPsec encryption between tiers, deploy Azure Application Gateway with WAF in front of the web tier, and use a managed identity for the application tier to access SQL Server.
Option D is correct because it provides encryption between tiers via IPsec, WAF for web protection, and managed identity for database access. Option A is wrong because application-level encryption is complex and not standard. Option B is wrong because SSL/TLS termination at the load balancer means traffic inside the VNet is unencrypted. Option C is wrong because the web tier should not have direct database access; application tier should.
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 application-level encryption between tiers, deploy Azure Application Gateway with WAF in front of the web tier, and use a service principal to access SQL Server.
Why it's wrong here
Application-level encryption is not standard for tier-to-tier communication. Service principal is less secure than managed identity.
- ✗
Use SSL/TLS termination at the Azure Load Balancer, deploy Azure Front Door with WAF, and use a managed identity for the web tier to access SQL Server.
Why it's wrong here
SSL/TLS termination at load balancer means traffic between tiers is unencrypted. Web tier should not access database directly.
- ✗
Use IPsec encryption between tiers, deploy Azure Application Gateway with WAF, and use a managed identity for the web tier to access SQL Server.
Why it's wrong here
Web tier should not have direct database access; application tier should.
- ✓
Use IPsec encryption between tiers, deploy Azure Application Gateway with WAF in front of the web tier, and use a managed identity for the application tier to access SQL Server.
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 media company stores terabytes of video archives that are accessed once a year for audit purposes. Moving these objects to a cold storage tier (Azure Archive, S3 Glacier, or Google Nearline) costs a fraction of hot storage. Questions like this test whether you understand storage tiers, access frequency tradeoffs, and retrieval latency requirements.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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 applications and data — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Design security solutions for applications and data 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
Related SC-100 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities practice questions
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities.
Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities practice questions
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities.
Design security solutions for infrastructure practice questions
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security solutions for infrastructure.
Design a Zero Trust strategy and architecture practice questions
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design a Zero Trust strategy and architecture.
Design security solutions for applications and data practice questions
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security solutions for applications and data.
Evaluate GRC and security operations strategies practice questions
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Evaluate GRC and security operations strategies.
Design security for infrastructure practice questions
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design security for infrastructure.
Design a strategy for data and applications practice questions
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Design a strategy for data and applications.
Recommend security best practices and priorities practice questions
Practise SC-100 questions linked to Recommend security best practices and priorities.
SC-100 fundamentals practice questions
Practise SC-100 questions linked to SC-100 fundamentals.
SC-100 scenario practice questions
Practise SC-100 questions linked to SC-100 scenario.
SC-100 troubleshooting practice questions
Practise SC-100 questions linked to SC-100 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free SC-100 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-100 question test?
Design security solutions for applications and data — This question tests Design security solutions for applications and data — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Use IPsec encryption between tiers, deploy Azure Application Gateway with WAF in front of the web tier, and use a managed identity for the application tier to access SQL Server. — Option D is correct because it provides encryption between tiers via IPsec, WAF for web protection, and managed identity for database access. Option A is wrong because application-level encryption is complex and not standard. Option B is wrong because SSL/TLS termination at the load balancer means traffic inside the VNet is unencrypted. Option C is wrong because the web tier should not have direct database access; application tier should.
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.
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 →
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.