- A
Enable encryption at rest using service-managed keys, enforce TLS 1.2, configure a service endpoint for Cosmos DB, and grant the managed identity access using Cosmos DB built-in roles (e.g., Cosmos DB Built-in Data Contributor).
Why wrong: Service endpoints are less secure than private endpoints. Built-in roles do not provide granular access to specific containers or items.
- B
Disable encryption at rest to improve performance, enforce TLS 1.2, configure a private endpoint, and use the managed identity with a read-write key in Azure Key Vault.
Why wrong: Disabling encryption at rest violates HIPAA compliance. Using keys even from Key Vault is unnecessary when managed identity can be used.
- C
Enable encryption at rest using service-managed keys, enforce TLS 1.2, configure a firewall to allow only the App Service outbound IP, and use read-write keys in application settings.
Why wrong: Service-managed keys may not satisfy HIPAA requirements for key control. Firewall rules are less secure than private endpoints. Read-write keys in settings are not secure.
- D
Enable encryption at rest using a customer-managed key in Azure Key Vault, enforce TLS 1.2, configure a private endpoint for Cosmos DB, and grant the managed identity access via Azure RBAC with a custom role that allows read/write to specific containers.
CMK provides key control, private endpoint isolates network, managed identity eliminates key management, and RBAC provides fine-grained access.
Quick Answer
The correct choice is the design that combines a customer-managed key (CMK) in Azure Key Vault, enforced TLS 1.2, a private endpoint for network isolation, and Azure RBAC with a custom role scoped to specific containers. This configuration is the most complete and secure because it addresses all three HIPAA pillars: encryption at rest is controlled by the organization via CMK, encryption in transit is enforced by TLS 1.2, and private endpoints eliminate public internet exposure, while granular RBAC ensures role-based access to patient data. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your ability to layer security controls for regulated workloads—common traps include assuming service-managed keys are sufficient for HIPAA or that firewall rules alone replace private endpoints. Remember the mnemonic "C-T-R-P": Customer-managed key, TLS, RBAC, Private endpoint—each layer is mandatory for HIPAA compliance.
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.
Contoso, a healthcare provider, is deploying a new patient portal on Azure App Service that stores electronic health records (EHR) in Azure Cosmos DB for NoSQL. The solution must comply with HIPAA and HITRUST. You need to ensure that data is encrypted at rest and in transit, and that access is restricted based on user roles. Cosmos DB must be configured with a private endpoint to prevent public internet access. You plan to use Azure Key Vault to manage encryption keys. Additionally, the application will access Cosmos DB using a system-assigned managed identity. Which of the following is the most complete and secure design?
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
Enable encryption at rest using a customer-managed key in Azure Key Vault, enforce TLS 1.2, configure a private endpoint for Cosmos DB, and grant the managed identity access via Azure RBAC with a custom role that allows read/write to specific containers.
Option B is correct because it enables both encryption at rest (with CMK) and encryption in transit (TLS 1.2), uses private endpoints for network isolation, and implements Azure RBAC for granular access control. Option A is wrong because service-managed keys do not meet HIPAA requirements for key control, and firewall rules are less secure than private endpoints. Option C is wrong because RBAC with Cosmos DB built-in roles does not support custom role-based access for patient data. Option D is wrong because disabling encryption at rest is a security risk.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable encryption at rest using service-managed keys, enforce TLS 1.2, configure a service endpoint for Cosmos DB, and grant the managed identity access using Cosmos DB built-in roles (e.g., Cosmos DB Built-in Data Contributor).
Why it's wrong here
Service endpoints are less secure than private endpoints. Built-in roles do not provide granular access to specific containers or items.
- ✗
Disable encryption at rest to improve performance, enforce TLS 1.2, configure a private endpoint, and use the managed identity with a read-write key in Azure Key Vault.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling encryption at rest violates HIPAA compliance. Using keys even from Key Vault is unnecessary when managed identity can be used.
- ✗
Enable encryption at rest using service-managed keys, enforce TLS 1.2, configure a firewall to allow only the App Service outbound IP, and use read-write keys in application settings.
Why it's wrong here
Service-managed keys may not satisfy HIPAA requirements for key control. Firewall rules are less secure than private endpoints. Read-write keys in settings are not secure.
- ✓
Enable encryption at rest using a customer-managed key in Azure Key Vault, enforce TLS 1.2, configure a private endpoint for Cosmos DB, and grant the managed identity access via Azure RBAC with a custom role that allows read/write to specific containers.
Why this is correct
CMK provides key control, private endpoint isolates network, managed identity eliminates key management, and RBAC provides fine-grained access.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SC-100 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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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 — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable encryption at rest using a customer-managed key in Azure Key Vault, enforce TLS 1.2, configure a private endpoint for Cosmos DB, and grant the managed identity access via Azure RBAC with a custom role that allows read/write to specific containers. — Option B is correct because it enables both encryption at rest (with CMK) and encryption in transit (TLS 1.2), uses private endpoints for network isolation, and implements Azure RBAC for granular access control. Option A is wrong because service-managed keys do not meet HIPAA requirements for key control, and firewall rules are less secure than private endpoints. Option C is wrong because RBAC with Cosmos DB built-in roles does not support custom role-based access for patient data. Option D is wrong because disabling encryption at rest is a security risk.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SC-100 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
About these practice questions
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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. Your organization uses Azure Cosmos DB with SQL API. You need to implement data encryption at rest and control access to the encryption keys. Which two actions should you take? (Choose two.)
hard- A.Implement client-side encryption using the .NET SDK.
- B.Enable Azure Disk Encryption on the VMs that access Cosmos DB.
- ✓ C.Configure a customer-managed key in Azure Key Vault for encryption.
- D.Turn off automatic encryption and use a custom encryption algorithm.
- ✓ E.Enable server-side encryption (SSE) on the Cosmos DB account.
Why C: Options A and B are correct. Option A: Enable server-side encryption (SSE) which is enabled by default but explicitly ensuring it's on is good. Option B: Use customer-managed keys (CMK) stored in Azure Key Vault for key control. Option C is wrong because client-side encryption is not the same as at-rest encryption and adds complexity. Option D is wrong because Azure Disk Encryption is for VMs. Option E is wrong because Data Encryption at rest is not turned off by default in Cosmos DB; it's always on.
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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