The correct answer is that the storage account is compliant because it uses customer-managed keys from Key Vault and network access is restricted to a specific virtual network. This conclusion is drawn directly from the output showing `keySource: Microsoft.Keyvault`, which confirms encryption at rest is governed by a customer-managed key, while the network ACLs display `defaultAction: Deny` alongside a virtual network rule permitting traffic only from vnet1/subnet1, satisfying both compliance requirements. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your ability to interpret Azure CLI or PowerShell output for storage account security settings, often appearing in case studies where you must verify encryption source and network restrictions simultaneously. A common trap is assuming that any VNet rule automatically means compliance, but the default action must also be Deny to block all other traffic. Remember the mnemonic “Key and Deny” — check for customer-managed keys in the encryption source and a Deny default action in the network rules to confirm full 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. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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. A security administrator needs to ensure that the storage account 'securestore' is compliant with the company policy that requires encryption at rest using customer-managed keys and network access restricted to a specific virtual network. Which of the following statements is correct?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The storage account is compliant because it uses customer-managed keys from Key Vault and network access is restricted to a specific virtual network.
Option A is correct. The output shows 'keySource' is 'Microsoft.Keyvault' indicating customer-managed keys. Network ACLs have 'defaultAction': 'Deny' and a virtual network rule allowing traffic from vnet1/subnet1. Option B is wrong because the encryption is customer-managed, not Microsoft-managed. Option C is wrong because there is a VNet rule, but the default action is Deny, which restricts access. Option D is wrong because the output shows encryption is enabled for both blob and file services.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 storage account is compliant only if encryption is enabled for blob and file services.
Why it's wrong here
Encryption is already enabled for both blob and file services as shown.
✗
The storage account is non-compliant because it uses Microsoft-managed keys for encryption.
Why it's wrong here
The keySource is Microsoft.Keyvault, indicating customer-managed keys.
✓
The storage account is compliant because it uses customer-managed keys from Key Vault and network access is restricted to a specific virtual network.
Why this is correct
The output confirms customer-managed keys (keySource: Microsoft.Keyvault) and network ACLs with default deny and VNet rule.
The storage account is non-compliant because network access is allowed from any virtual network.
Why it's wrong here
The output shows a specific virtual network rule, not all virtual networks.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Encryption is already enabled for both blob and file services as shown.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
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 block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SC-100 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Design security solutions for applications and data — This question tests Design security solutions for applications and data — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The storage account is compliant because it uses customer-managed keys from Key Vault and network access is restricted to a specific virtual network. — Option A is correct. The output shows 'keySource' is 'Microsoft.Keyvault' indicating customer-managed keys. Network ACLs have 'defaultAction': 'Deny' and a virtual network rule allowing traffic from vnet1/subnet1. Option B is wrong because the encryption is customer-managed, not Microsoft-managed. Option C is wrong because there is a VNet rule, but the default action is Deny, which restricts access. Option D is wrong because the output shows encryption is enabled for both blob and file services.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related SC-100 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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