The answer is to configure an Azure Policy definition that audits or denies resources without encryption. This is correct because Azure Policy enforces organizational standards by evaluating resources for compliance with defined rules, such as requiring encryption on storage accounts or databases, and can either audit non-compliant resources or block their deployment entirely. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish between Azure Policy for configuration governance and Defender for Cloud’s security alerts, which focus on active threats rather than compliance drift. A common trap is confusing Azure Policy with Azure Blueprints, but remember: Blueprints package environments, while Policies enforce rules. To recall this, think “Policy for posture, Blueprints for packaging.”
SC-100 Design security solutions for infrastructure Practice Question
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for infrastructure. 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 Defender for Cloud to assess the security posture of their Azure subscriptions. They want to receive alerts when a resource is deployed without encryption enabled. What should they configure?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Azure Policy definition to audit or deny resources without encryption
Azure Policy with a custom policy definition can audit or deny resources without encryption. Defender for Cloud's regulatory compliance dashboard shows compliance status. Security alerts are for threats, not configuration drift. Azure Blueprints are for packaging resources.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Azure Blueprints
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Blueprints package resources, they don't enforce encryption post-deployment.
✗
Microsoft Defender for Cloud regulatory compliance dashboard
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Dashboard displays compliance, does not generate alerts for new deployments.
✗
Microsoft Defender for Cloud security alerts
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: Security alerts are for threats, not configuration compliance.
✓
Azure Policy definition to audit or deny resources without encryption
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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. ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-100 question in full detail.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SC-100 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Design security solutions for infrastructure — This question tests Design security solutions for infrastructure — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Azure Policy definition to audit or deny resources without encryption — Azure Policy with a custom policy definition can audit or deny resources without encryption. Defender for Cloud's regulatory compliance dashboard shows compliance status. Security alerts are for threats, not configuration drift. Azure Blueprints are for packaging resources.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SC-100 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
About these practice questions
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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 Defender for Cloud to assess security posture. You need to design a solution that automatically applies a security baseline to new Azure VMs. Which feature should you use?
medium
A.Microsoft Defender for Cloud regulatory compliance dashboard
B.Azure Update Management
C.Azure Automation State Configuration (DSC)
✓ D.Azure Policy with Guest Configuration
Why D: Option D is correct because Azure Policy with Guest Configuration can apply security baselines to VMs at scale. Option A is wrong because Defender for Cloud provides recommendations but does not automatically apply baselines. Option B is wrong because Azure Automation State Configuration (DSC) can apply configurations but Azure Policy is more integrated. Option C is wrong because Azure Update Management handles patching, not baselines.
Variation 2. Refer to the exhibit. You are reviewing an Azure Policy definition that is assigned to a subscription. What is the primary effect of this policy?
hard
✓ A.It modifies the OS disk to use a specific disk encryption set.
B.It deploys a disk encryption set to each virtual machine.
C.It denies creation of virtual machines without the specified disk encryption set.
D.It audits virtual machines that do not use the specified disk encryption set.
Why A: The policy uses the 'modify' effect to add or replace the disk encryption set ID on any virtual machine's OS disk managed disk. This ensures VMs use a specific encryption set. 'deployIfNotExists' would deploy a resource, 'audit' would only log, 'deny' would block creation.
Variation 3. Refer to the exhibit. You are reviewing an Azure Policy definition that is assigned to a subscription containing several virtual machines. After the assignment, users report that they cannot create new VMs. What is the most likely reason?
medium
A.The policy denies creation of VMs with a specific size.
✓ B.The policy denies creation of VMs that do not use managed disks.
C.The policy denies creation of VMs that use managed disks.
D.The policy denies creation of VMs that do not use premium SSDs.
Why B: Option A is correct because the policy denies creation of VMs that do not use managed disks. The condition checks if the osDisk.managedDisk field does not exist, and if so, denies the request. Therefore, any attempt to create a VM with unmanaged disks will be denied. Option B is wrong because the policy only denies creation, it does not affect existing VMs. Option C is wrong because the policy denies all VMs without managed disks, not just those with a specific size. Option D is wrong because the policy does not require premium SSDs; it only requires managed disks.
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