- A
Deploy the app on a multi-tenant App Service plan, enforce HTTPS only with TLS 1.2, use a system-assigned managed identity to access Azure SQL Database, and configure TLS/SSL certificates from Azure Key Vault.
Why wrong: Multi-tenant App Service does not provide network isolation; the app is exposed to the internet.
- B
Deploy the app on an ASE v3 in a VNet, enforce HTTPS only with TLS 1.2, use a system-assigned managed identity to access Azure SQL Database, and configure TLS/SSL certificates from Azure Key Vault.
ASE v3 provides network isolation, managed identity provides secure database access, and Key Vault handles certificates.
- C
Deploy the app on an ASE v3 in a VNet, enforce HTTPS only with TLS 1.2, use a user-assigned managed identity to access Azure SQL Database, and configure TLS/SSL certificates from App Service certificates.
Why wrong: App Service certificates are not stored in Key Vault by default. Managed identity can be either system or user; both are fine, but the requirement mentions Key Vault for certificates.
- D
Deploy the app on an ASE v3 in a VNet, enforce HTTPS only with TLS 1.2, use a service principal to access Azure SQL Database, and configure TLS/SSL certificates from Azure Key Vault.
Why wrong: Service principal is less secure than managed identity because it requires credential management.
Quick Answer
The correct design deploys the app on an Azure App Service Environment v3 within a VNet, enforces HTTPS only with TLS 1.2, uses a system-assigned managed identity to access Azure SQL Database, and configures TLS/SSL certificates from Azure Key Vault. This meets all FedRAMP High requirements because ASE v3 inherently provides network isolation through VNet deployment, while managed identity eliminates the need for stored credentials, and Key Vault integration handles certificate lifecycle securely. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how to secure Azure App Service Environment for FedRAMP High compliance by combining platform-level isolation with identity-based access—a common trap is confusing VNet integration (outbound only) with private endpoints (inbound isolation). Remember the mnemonic “VNet, TLS, MI, KV” to recall the four pillars: VNet isolation, enforced TLS 1.2, managed identity for SQL, and Key Vault for certificates.
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.
A government agency, Northwind, is deploying a sensitive application on Azure App Service Environment (ASE) v3. The application handles classified data and must meet FedRAMP High requirements. You need to design a security solution that includes: (1) encryption at rest for the app's content and configuration, (2) encryption in transit with TLS 1.2 or higher, (3) network isolation using VNet integration and private endpoints, (4) identity-based access to Azure SQL Database using managed identity, and (5) certificate management for custom domains using Azure Key Vault. Which of the following designs meets all requirements?
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
Deploy the app on an ASE v3 in a VNet, enforce HTTPS only with TLS 1.2, use a system-assigned managed identity to access Azure SQL Database, and configure TLS/SSL certificates from Azure Key Vault.
Option A is correct because ASE v3 is deployed in a VNet, providing network isolation. App Service can use managed identity for database access. TLS can be enforced in the app settings. Certificates can be imported from Key Vault. Option B is wrong because App Service on a public plan is not network isolated. Option C is wrong because VNet integration does not provide inbound isolation; private endpoint is needed. Option D is wrong because service principal is less secure than managed identity.
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.
- ✗
Deploy the app on a multi-tenant App Service plan, enforce HTTPS only with TLS 1.2, use a system-assigned managed identity to access Azure SQL Database, and configure TLS/SSL certificates from Azure Key Vault.
Why it's wrong here
Multi-tenant App Service does not provide network isolation; the app is exposed to the internet.
- ✓
Deploy the app on an ASE v3 in a VNet, enforce HTTPS only with TLS 1.2, use a system-assigned managed identity to access Azure SQL Database, and configure TLS/SSL certificates from Azure Key Vault.
Why this is correct
ASE v3 provides network isolation, managed identity provides secure database access, and Key Vault handles certificates.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Deploy the app on an ASE v3 in a VNet, enforce HTTPS only with TLS 1.2, use a user-assigned managed identity to access Azure SQL Database, and configure TLS/SSL certificates from App Service certificates.
Why it's wrong here
App Service certificates are not stored in Key Vault by default. Managed identity can be either system or user; both are fine, but the requirement mentions Key Vault for certificates.
- ✗
Deploy the app on an ASE v3 in a VNet, enforce HTTPS only with TLS 1.2, use a service principal to access Azure SQL Database, and configure TLS/SSL certificates from Azure Key Vault.
Why it's wrong here
Service principal is less secure than managed identity because it requires credential management.
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 company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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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Design security solutions for applications and data — study guide chapter
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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: Deploy the app on an ASE v3 in a VNet, enforce HTTPS only with TLS 1.2, use a system-assigned managed identity to access Azure SQL Database, and configure TLS/SSL certificates from Azure Key Vault. — Option A is correct because ASE v3 is deployed in a VNet, providing network isolation. App Service can use managed identity for database access. TLS can be enforced in the app settings. Certificates can be imported from Key Vault. Option B is wrong because App Service on a public plan is not network isolated. Option C is wrong because VNet integration does not provide inbound isolation; private endpoint is needed. Option D is wrong because service principal is less secure than managed identity.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on SC-100
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A company deploys a line-of-business application on Azure App Service. The application uses a managed identity to access Azure SQL Database. Security policy requires that the database connection string must not contain credentials. How should the connection string be configured?
medium- A.Store the connection string in App Service application settings with the password encrypted by App Service
- B.Store the connection string with username and password in Key Vault and reference it in App Settings
- ✓ C.Use a managed identity and set the connection string to use Active Directory Managed Identity authentication without credentials
- D.Store the connection string as a secret in Azure Key Vault and use a Key Vault reference in App Settings
Why C: Using a managed identity, the connection string can be set to use 'Authentication=Active Directory Managed Identity' without any username or password. Option A is wrong because the connection string should not include credentials. Option B is wrong because Key Vault references are used for secrets, but managed identity itself avoids the need for a secret. Option D is wrong because connection strings are not stored in App Service as secrets.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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.
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