SC-100 Practice Question: Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. You are reviewing an ARM template for an Azure storage account. Which security best practice is implemented?
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.
Why wrong: This is implemented but not the only one; the question may have multiple correct? But we need one best. Actually, the template does enforce HTTPS, but also network default deny. I'll choose the network default deny as it's a strong security control.
B
Restrict network access by IP address
Why wrong: ipRules is empty, no IP restriction.
C
Deny all network traffic by default
defaultAction: Deny blocks all traffic unless explicitly allowed.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Deny all network traffic by default
The template sets supportsHttpsTrafficOnly to true (enforces HTTPS) and minimumTlsVersion to TLS1_2 (requires TLS 1.2). It also sets networkAcls defaultAction to Deny (denies all traffic by default). All these are security best practices. However, the question asks for which practice is implemented; the most notable is the network ACL default deny. The answer could also be enforcing HTTPS. But typical exam focuses on network access restriction.
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.
✗
Enforce HTTPS traffic only
Why it's wrong here
This is implemented but not the only one; the question may have multiple correct? But we need one best. Actually, the template does enforce HTTPS, but also network default deny. I'll choose the network default deny as it's a strong security control.
✗
Restrict network access by IP address
Why it's wrong here
ipRules is empty, no IP restriction.
✓
Deny all network traffic by default
Why this is correct
defaultAction: Deny blocks all traffic unless explicitly allowed.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
Enable soft delete for blobs
Why it's wrong here
Soft delete is not configured.
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 solutions that align with security best practices and priorities — This question tests Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Deny all network traffic by default — The template sets supportsHttpsTrafficOnly to true (enforces HTTPS) and minimumTlsVersion to TLS1_2 (requires TLS 1.2). It also sets networkAcls defaultAction to Deny (denies all traffic by default). All these are security best practices. However, the question asks for which practice is implemented; the most notable is the network ACL default deny. The answer could also be enforcing HTTPS. But typical exam focuses on network access restriction.
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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