Quick Answer
The answer is Microsoft Defender for Cloud. This service is the correct choice because it natively integrates with Azure Container Registry to scan container images for vulnerabilities before deployment, using a built-in vulnerability assessment engine powered by Qualys that checks images against known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) at the time of push or on demand. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between security scanning tools and governance or monitoring services—a common trap is confusing Azure Policy’s compliance enforcement with actual image scanning, or assuming Azure Monitor can perform deep container analysis. Remember that Defender for Cloud is the only service here that actively inspects the image layers for software flaws. A helpful memory tip: think “Defender defends the container content,” while Policy only polices the rules and Monitor merely watches the metrics.
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 CI/CD pipeline for a containerized application using Azure DevOps. You need to ensure that container images are scanned for vulnerabilities before being deployed to production. Which service should you integrate?
Azure Policy
Why wrong: Azure Policy enforces compliance, does not scan images.
Azure Key Vault
Why wrong: Key Vault manages secrets.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Defender for Cloud scans container images for vulnerabilities.
Azure Monitor
Why wrong: Monitor collects telemetry, does not scan images.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Option B is correct because Microsoft Defender for Cloud (formerly Azure Security Center) can scan container images in Azure Container Registry for vulnerabilities. Option A is wrong because Azure Policy can enforce compliance but not scan images. Option C is wrong because Azure Key Vault is for secrets. Option D is wrong because Azure Monitor is for monitoring, not scanning.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Azure Policy
Why it's wrong here
Azure Policy enforces compliance, does not scan images.
Azure Key Vault
Why it's wrong here
Key Vault manages secrets.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud
Why this is correct
Defender for Cloud scans container images for vulnerabilities.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Azure Monitor
Why it's wrong here
Monitor collects telemetry, does not scan images.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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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FAQ
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..
The correct answer is: Microsoft Defender for Cloud — Option B is correct because Microsoft Defender for Cloud (formerly Azure Security Center) can scan container images in Azure Container Registry for vulnerabilities. Option A is wrong because Azure Policy can enforce compliance but not scan images. Option C is wrong because Azure Key Vault is for secrets. Option D is wrong because Azure Monitor is for monitoring, not scanning.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Same concept, more angles
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. You are designing a secure CI/CD pipeline for a web application deployed to Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). The security team requires that container images are scanned for vulnerabilities before deployment. Which two services should you integrate?
hardWhy C: Option C is correct because Microsoft Defender for Containers integrates with ACR to scan images. Option A is wrong because Azure Policy can enforce rules but does not scan images. Option B is wrong because Azure DevOps does not scan images natively. Option D is wrong because Azure Key Vault stores secrets.
Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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