The answer is to deploy a device control policy in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to audit USB usage and block for high-risk users. This is correct because MDE’s device control feature natively allows you to create granular policies that audit file copy operations to USB drives while applying stricter blocks for specific user groups, directly addressing the need to prevent data exfiltration via USB drives on Windows 10. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how endpoint-level controls differ from cloud DLP or conditional access—common traps include confusing MDE device control with Intune device restrictions or Purview DLP, which lack real-time USB auditing and block capabilities. A key memory tip is to associate “USB” with “Device Control” inside MDE, not with Conditional Access or Purview policies.
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. 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 Defender for Endpoint (MDE) for endpoint detection and response. You need to protect sensitive data on Windows 10 devices from being exfiltrated via USB drives. The solution must be able to audit file copy operations to USB and block them for high-risk users. What should you configure?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Deploy a device control policy in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to audit USB usage and block for high-risk users
Option D is correct because Microsoft Defender for Endpoint includes device control features that can audit and block removable storage. You can configure policies to audit all users and block for high-risk users using custom device control policies. Option A is wrong because Intune can manage USB restrictions but not with MDE-specific auditing. Option B is wrong because DLP policies in Microsoft Purview are for cloud and network. Option C is wrong because conditional access does not control USB.
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.
✗
Set up a Conditional Access policy in Microsoft Entra ID to block sign-ins from devices with USB activity
Why it's wrong here
Conditional Access cannot detect USB activity.
✗
Use Microsoft Intune to create a device configuration profile that disables USB ports
Why it's wrong here
Disabling USB is too restrictive and does not allow auditing for compliance.
✗
Configure a Microsoft Purview DLP policy for endpoint devices
Why it's wrong here
Endpoint DLP works on data in use, but USB blocking is better handled by MDE device control.
✓
Deploy a device control policy in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to audit USB usage and block for high-risk users
Why this is correct
MDE device control can audit and block removable storage based on user groups.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-100 question in full detail.
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 applications and data — This question tests Design security solutions for applications and data — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deploy a device control policy in Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to audit USB usage and block for high-risk users — Option D is correct because Microsoft Defender for Endpoint includes device control features that can audit and block removable storage. You can configure policies to audit all users and block for high-risk users using custom device control policies. Option A is wrong because Intune can manage USB restrictions but not with MDE-specific auditing. Option B is wrong because DLP policies in Microsoft Purview are for cloud and network. Option C is wrong because conditional access does not control USB.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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