- A
Create a custom recommendation in Microsoft Defender for Cloud to alert when storage accounts do not have secure transfer required.
Why wrong: Defender for Cloud alerts but does not enforce or remediate automatically without additional configuration.
- B
Use Azure Blueprints to apply the setting to all subscriptions.
Why wrong: Azure Blueprints is deprecated; Azure Policy is the recommended tool for governance.
- C
Assign an Azure Policy initiative that includes the built-in policy 'Secure transfer to storage accounts should be enabled' with a 'Deny' effect.
Azure Policy with Deny effect prevents creation of non-compliant storage accounts.
- D
Grant the 'Storage Account Contributor' role to a security group that will manually enable the setting.
Why wrong: RBAC does not enforce configuration; it only grants permissions.
Quick Answer
The answer is to assign an Azure Policy initiative that includes the built-in policy 'Secure transfer to storage accounts should be enabled' with a 'Deny' effect. This is the best approach because Azure Policy enforces compliance at scale by automatically blocking the creation or update of storage accounts that lack secure transfer (HTTPS), whereas Defender for Cloud only detects and alerts on non-compliant resources without preventing them. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between detection tools like Defender for Cloud and enforcement tools like Azure Policy—a common trap is assuming Defender for Cloud can enforce configurations, but it is primarily a monitoring and remediation advisor. Remember that Azure Blueprints is deprecated, and RBAC controls who can act, not what configuration is allowed. Memory tip: “Policy prevents, Defender detects”—if the goal is to enforce secure transfer, always choose the Deny effect in Azure Policy.
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. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 is using Microsoft Defender for Cloud to secure applications running on Azure. You need to ensure that all Azure Storage accounts have secure transfer required enabled. What is the BEST way to enforce this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"best"Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
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
Assign an Azure Policy initiative that includes the built-in policy 'Secure transfer to storage accounts should be enabled' with a 'Deny' effect.
Option B is correct because Azure Policy can audit and enforce compliance at scale. Option A is wrong because while Defender for Cloud can detect the issue, it does not automatically enforce. Option C is wrong because Azure Blueprints is deprecated; Azure Policy is the correct tool. Option D is wrong because RBAC controls permissions, not configuration.
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.
- ✗
Create a custom recommendation in Microsoft Defender for Cloud to alert when storage accounts do not have secure transfer required.
Why it's wrong here
Defender for Cloud alerts but does not enforce or remediate automatically without additional configuration.
- ✗
Use Azure Blueprints to apply the setting to all subscriptions.
Why it's wrong here
Azure Blueprints is deprecated; Azure Policy is the recommended tool for governance.
- ✓
Assign an Azure Policy initiative that includes the built-in policy 'Secure transfer to storage accounts should be enabled' with a 'Deny' effect.
Why this is correct
Azure Policy with Deny effect prevents creation of non-compliant storage accounts.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- ✗
Grant the 'Storage Account Contributor' role to a security group that will manually enable the setting.
Why it's wrong here
RBAC does not enforce configuration; it only grants permissions.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
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 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 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.
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Design security solutions for applications and data — study guide chapter
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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 — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Assign an Azure Policy initiative that includes the built-in policy 'Secure transfer to storage accounts should be enabled' with a 'Deny' effect. — Option B is correct because Azure Policy can audit and enforce compliance at scale. Option A is wrong because while Defender for Cloud can detect the issue, it does not automatically enforce. Option C is wrong because Azure Blueprints is deprecated; Azure Policy is the correct tool. Option D is wrong because RBAC controls permissions, not configuration.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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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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