The correct answer is that the policy denies the creation or update of storage accounts that do not require HTTPS traffic only. This is because the Azure Policy definition uses the "deny" effect, which actively blocks any non-compliant resource operation at the time of submission, rather than merely auditing or modifying it afterward. The policy checks two conditions: the resource type must be a storage account, and the property "supportsHttpsTrafficOnly" must be set to false; when both are true, the request is rejected. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of Azure Policy effects and how they enforce security baselines, often appearing as a trap where candidates confuse "deny" with "audit" or "modify." A common memory tip is to think of "deny" as a bouncer at the door—it stops the action before it happens, unlike "audit" which just takes notes.
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Denies creation or update of storage accounts that do not require HTTPS traffic
The policy checks if the resource type is a storage account and if HTTPS traffic only is set to false. If both conditions are true, it denies the creation or update of the storage account. Option B is correct because the effect is 'deny'. Option A is wrong because it does not audit; it denies. Option C is wrong because it does not modify; it denies. Option D is wrong because it does not deploy a remediation task.
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.
✗
Modifies storage accounts to enable HTTPS traffic only
Why it's wrong here
The policy does not modify; it denies non-compliant resources
✗
Audits storage accounts that do not require HTTPS traffic
Why it's wrong here
The effect is 'deny', not 'audit'
✓
Denies creation or update of storage accounts that do not require HTTPS traffic
Why this is correct
The policy denies any storage account where HTTPS traffic only is not enabled
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Deploys a remediation task to enable HTTPS traffic only
Why it's wrong here
Remediation tasks are for deployIfNotExists effects, not deny
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.
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 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: Denies creation or update of storage accounts that do not require HTTPS traffic — The policy checks if the resource type is a storage account and if HTTPS traffic only is set to false. If both conditions are true, it denies the creation or update of the storage account. Option B is correct because the effect is 'deny'. Option A is wrong because it does not audit; it denies. Option C is wrong because it does not modify; it denies. Option D is wrong because it does not deploy a remediation task.
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.
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Question Discussion
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