The answer is to configure network security groups (NSGs) on subnets to deny outbound traffic to the internet, use Azure Firewall to inspect and block unauthorized destinations, and enable Microsoft Defender for Storage to alert on anomalous data transfers. These three controls work together to enforce egress restrictions, inspect outbound traffic at the network perimeter, and detect suspicious exfiltration patterns, forming a layered defense against data leaving your Azure Storage accounts to unauthorized external locations. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of defense-in-depth for data exfiltration, often appearing as a multi-select question where you must distinguish between controls that prevent exfiltration versus those that merely protect inbound access or provide recovery. A common trap is selecting private endpoints, which block public inbound traffic but do nothing to stop outbound data movement, or soft delete, which is purely for recovery. Remember the mnemonic “NAD” for Network, Appliance, Detection—NSGs, Azure Firewall, and Defender for Storage.
SC-100 Design security solutions for infrastructure Practice Question
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for infrastructure. 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 exfiltration protection solution for Azure Storage accounts. You need to prevent data from being copied to unauthorized external locations. Which THREE controls should you implement?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Enable Microsoft Defender for Storage and configure alerts for anomalous data extraction.
Option A is correct because NSGs can restrict egress traffic at the subnet level. Option C is correct because Azure Firewall can inspect outbound traffic and block unauthorized destinations. Option E is correct because Microsoft Defender for Storage alerts on anomalous data transfers. Option B is wrong because private endpoints do not prevent exfiltration; they prevent public access. Option D is wrong because soft delete is for recovery, not exfiltration prevention.
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.
✓
Enable Microsoft Defender for Storage and configure alerts for anomalous data extraction.
Use Azure Private Endpoints for all storage accounts.
Why it's wrong here
Private endpoints prevent public access but do not block outbound data exfiltration.
✗
Enable soft delete and versioning for blobs.
Why it's wrong here
Soft delete protects against accidental deletion, not exfiltration.
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.
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 infrastructure — This question tests Design security solutions for infrastructure — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable Microsoft Defender for Storage and configure alerts for anomalous data extraction. — Option A is correct because NSGs can restrict egress traffic at the subnet level. Option C is correct because Azure Firewall can inspect outbound traffic and block unauthorized destinations. Option E is correct because Microsoft Defender for Storage alerts on anomalous data transfers. Option B is wrong because private endpoints do not prevent exfiltration; they prevent public access. Option D is wrong because soft delete is for recovery, not exfiltration prevention.
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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