The answer is a Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy. This is correct because a DLP policy is specifically designed to automatically detect sensitive content—such as credit card numbers or personally identifiable information—and enforce actions like blocking external sharing in SharePoint Online. Unlike sensitivity labels, which require manual or automatic classification but do not natively block sharing, DLP policies evaluate content in transit and apply real-time controls to prevent data leaks. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between Purview solutions: DLP for blocking actions, sensitivity labels for classification, and retention policies for lifecycle management. A common trap is confusing Information Protection (the umbrella) with the specific DLP policy that enforces the block. Memory tip: think “DLP = Detect, Lock, Protect”—it detects sensitive data and locks down external sharing.
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 security architect is designing a data protection strategy for a Microsoft 365 tenant. The company must prevent users from sharing sensitive documents with external users via SharePoint Online. They want to apply a policy that automatically detects sensitive content and blocks external sharing. Which Microsoft Purview solution should they use?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy
Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies can detect sensitive data and block external sharing. Option C is correct. Option A is wrong because sensitivity labels require manual application or automatic classification, but blocking external sharing is typically done by DLP. Option B is wrong because retention policies are for data retention, not blocking sharing. Option D is wrong because Microsoft Purview Information Protection is the umbrella, but the specific policy is DLP.
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.
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Sensitivity labels
Why it's wrong here
Sensitivity labels can classify and protect data, but blocking external sharing is usually enforced by DLP policies.
✗
Retention policies
Why it's wrong here
Used for data retention and deletion, not for blocking sharing.
✓
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy
Why this is correct
DLP policies can automatically detect sensitive data and block actions like external sharing.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Microsoft Purview Information Protection
Why it's wrong here
This is the product suite; the specific feature is DLP.
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 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. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. 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.
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: Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy — Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policies can detect sensitive data and block external sharing. Option C is correct. Option A is wrong because sensitivity labels require manual application or automatic classification, but blocking external sharing is typically done by DLP. Option B is wrong because retention policies are for data retention, not blocking sharing. Option D is wrong because Microsoft Purview Information Protection is the umbrella, but the specific policy is DLP.
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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