The answer is Azure Storage with shared access signatures (SAS) and Azure Key Vault. This combination delivers secure time-limited data sharing for large datasets with external universities by using SAS tokens to grant granular, expiring permissions directly to specific blobs or containers, while Azure Key Vault manages the storage account keys and can even generate SAS tokens programmatically to reduce administrative overhead. Encryption at rest is handled by Azure Storage Service Encryption (SSE), and encryption in transit is enforced via HTTPS, meeting both security requirements. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your ability to differentiate between sharing mechanisms: Azure Data Share is a common distractor because it also shares data externally, but it relies on periodic snapshots rather than direct, time-limited access, and SFTP introduces unnecessary user management overhead. A key memory tip is to think of a SAS token as a “temporary key card” for a specific room—it expires automatically and requires no ongoing user account maintenance.
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.
You are designing a secure data sharing solution for a research organization that needs to share large datasets with external universities. The data must be encrypted at rest and in transit, and access must be time-limited. The solution should minimize administrative overhead. What should you use?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "minimum / minimize"
Why it matters: Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Azure Storage with shared access signatures (SAS) and Azure Key Vault
Option D is correct because Azure Storage with SAS tokens provides time-limited access, encryption at rest (SSE), and encryption in transit (HTTPS). Option A is wrong because Azure File Sync focuses on syncing files, not secure sharing. Option B is wrong because Azure Data Share is more for periodic snapshots, not direct access. Option C is wrong because SFTP requires more administrative overhead for user management.
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.
✗
Azure Blob Storage with SFTP protocol enabled
Why it's wrong here
SFTP requires user accounts and does not easily provide time-limited access without additional management.
✗
Azure Data Share with snapshot-based sharing
Why it's wrong here
Data Share is for sharing snapshots, not for providing direct access with time-limited tokens.
✓
Azure Storage with shared access signatures (SAS) and Azure Key Vault
Why this is correct
SAS tokens provide time-limited access, and Azure Storage encrypts data at rest and in transit.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "minimum / minimize" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Azure File Sync with on-premises file servers
Why it's wrong here
File Sync is for hybrid file caching, not for secure external sharing with time-limited access.
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 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 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.
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: Azure Storage with shared access signatures (SAS) and Azure Key Vault — Option D is correct because Azure Storage with SAS tokens provides time-limited access, encryption at rest (SSE), and encryption in transit (HTTPS). Option A is wrong because Azure File Sync focuses on syncing files, not secure sharing. Option B is wrong because Azure Data Share is more for periodic snapshots, not direct access. Option C is wrong because SFTP requires more administrative overhead for user management.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "minimum / minimize". Asks for the least resource use — fewest addresses, smallest subnet, lowest overhead. Eliminate over-provisioned options even if they would technically work.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.