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Design security solutions for applications and data →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

Quick Answer

The answer is that a managed identity must be associated with the policy assignment and have permissions to modify TDE. This is because the modify effect in Azure Policy works by using a system-assigned or user-assigned managed identity to perform the actual remediation action—in this case, enabling transparent data encryption on Azure SQL databases. Without that identity being granted a role like SQL DB Contributor, the policy can evaluate compliance but cannot execute the change. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this tests your understanding of how policy effects differ from audit-only effects, and a common trap is assuming the modify effect works automatically without identity configuration. Remember the mnemonic: “Modify needs an ID” to recall that a managed identity is the key requirement for any modify effect to apply changes.

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.

Exhibit

{
  "policyRule": {
    "if": {
      "allOf": [
        {
          "field": "type",
          "equals": "Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases"
        },
        {
          "field": "Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases/transparentDataEncryption.status",
          "equals": "Disabled"
        }
      ]
    },
    "then": {
      "effect": "modify",
      "details": {
        "roleDefinitionIds": [
          "/providers/Microsoft.Authorization/roleDefinitions/..."
        ],
        "operations": [
          {
            "operation": "addOrReplace",
            "field": "Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases/transparentDataEncryption.status",
            "value": "Enabled"
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

Refer to the exhibit. You are reviewing an Azure Policy definition that uses a 'modify' effect. The policy is intended to automatically enable transparent data encryption (TDE) on Azure SQL databases after they are created. Which condition must be met for the modify effect to work?

Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →

Exhibit

{
  "policyRule": {
    "if": {
      "allOf": [
        {
          "field": "type",
          "equals": "Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases"
        },
        {
          "field": "Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases/transparentDataEncryption.status",
          "equals": "Disabled"
        }
      ]
    },
    "then": {
      "effect": "modify",
      "details": {
        "roleDefinitionIds": [
          "/providers/Microsoft.Authorization/roleDefinitions/..."
        ],
        "operations": [
          {
            "operation": "addOrReplace",
            "field": "Microsoft.Sql/servers/databases/transparentDataEncryption.status",
            "value": "Enabled"
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

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

✓

A managed identity must be associated with the policy assignment and have permissions to modify TDE.

Option D is correct because the modify effect requires a managed identity with the appropriate role (e.g., SQL DB Contributor) to perform the remediation. Option A is wrong because the modify effect does not require a specific SKU. Option B is wrong because the policy can be applied at any scope, including subscription. Option C is wrong because TDE can be enabled on any database, not just new ones.

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.

  • ✗

    The policy must be assigned at the management group scope.

    Why it's wrong here

    Policy assignment scope can be management group, subscription, or resource group.

  • ✓

    A managed identity must be associated with the policy assignment and have permissions to modify TDE.

    Why this is correct

    Modify effect uses a managed identity to make changes.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

  • ✗

    The database must be newly created.

    Why it's wrong here

    The policy can be applied to existing databases as well.

  • ✗

    The SQL database must be using the General Purpose service tier.

    Why it's wrong here

    TDE is available for all tiers.

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.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

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.

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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 — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: A managed identity must be associated with the policy assignment and have permissions to modify TDE. — Option D is correct because the modify effect requires a managed identity with the appropriate role (e.g., SQL DB Contributor) to perform the remediation. Option A is wrong because the modify effect does not require a specific SKU. Option B is wrong because the policy can be applied at any scope, including subscription. Option C is wrong because TDE can be enabled on any database, not just new ones.

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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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026

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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.