- A
Create a sensitivity label with encryption and apply it via auto-labeling.
Why wrong: Auto-labeling can apply labels but DLP is more appropriate for outbound email.
- B
Create a Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy that detects credit card numbers and applies encryption.
DLP can automatically protect sensitive data in transit.
- C
Enable Microsoft Purview Information Protection auto-labeling for credit card data.
Why wrong: Auto-labeling can label but does not enforce encryption on outbound email by itself.
- D
Create a mail flow rule in Exchange Online to encrypt emails with credit card numbers.
Why wrong: Mail flow rules are legacy; DLP is the modern approach.
- E
Configure Microsoft Purview Message Encryption as part of the DLP policy.
Message Encryption integrates with DLP to encrypt emails.
Quick Answer
The answer is to configure Microsoft Purview Message Encryption as part of a DLP policy. This is correct because a Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention policy can scan outbound emails for sensitive data types like credit card numbers and, when detected, automatically apply Information Rights Management (IRM) encryption as a policy action, ensuring the email is encrypted before delivery. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of integrating DLP with encryption to meet compliance requirements, often appearing as a multi-select question where you must choose both enabling the DLP rule and setting the action to encrypt. A common trap is selecting a separate transport rule instead of recognizing that DLP policies natively support IRM encryption. Memory tip: think “DLP detects, IRM protects”—the policy does both in one step.
SC-100 Practice Question: Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities. 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.
Which TWO actions should you take to meet a compliance requirement that all emails containing credit card numbers must be encrypted before delivery?
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
Create a Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy that detects credit card numbers and applies encryption.
Option B is correct because a Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy can detect sensitive data types like credit card numbers and automatically apply encryption via Information Rights Management (IRM) as an action. This ensures that any email containing credit card data is encrypted before delivery, meeting the compliance requirement directly through policy enforcement.
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.
- ✗
Create a sensitivity label with encryption and apply it via auto-labeling.
Why it's wrong here
Auto-labeling can apply labels but DLP is more appropriate for outbound email.
- ✓
Create a Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy that detects credit card numbers and applies encryption.
Why this is correct
DLP can automatically protect sensitive data in transit.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Enable Microsoft Purview Information Protection auto-labeling for credit card data.
Why it's wrong here
Auto-labeling can label but does not enforce encryption on outbound email by itself.
- ✗
Create a mail flow rule in Exchange Online to encrypt emails with credit card numbers.
Why it's wrong here
Mail flow rules are legacy; DLP is the modern approach.
- ✓
Configure Microsoft Purview Message Encryption as part of the DLP policy.
Why this is correct
Message Encryption integrates with DLP to encrypt emails.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse auto-labeling with DLP actions, thinking that applying a sensitivity label automatically encrypts the email, when in fact DLP policies are required to enforce encryption as a protective action on outbound messages.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Microsoft Purview DLP policies use built-in sensitive info types (e.g., Credit Card Number) with a confidence level and proximity detection to trigger actions. When encryption is applied via DLP, it leverages Azure Rights Management (Azure RMS) to wrap the email with a protected message template, ensuring only authorized recipients can decrypt it. This integration allows DLP to enforce encryption at the transport layer without requiring separate mail flow rules, providing a single pane of glass for compliance policies.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-100 question test?
Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — This question tests Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Create a Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy that detects credit card numbers and applies encryption. — Option B is correct because a Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy can detect sensitive data types like credit card numbers and automatically apply encryption via Information Rights Management (IRM) as an action. This ensures that any email containing credit card data is encrypted before delivery, meeting the compliance requirement directly through policy enforcement.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 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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