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 an API management solution using Azure API Management. Which TWO should you implement to protect the API from unauthorized access? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Implement OAuth 2.0 authorization with Microsoft Entra ID.
A and D are correct. Subscription keys are a basic mechanism to authenticate callers. OAuth 2.0 is a standard authorization framework integrated with Azure API Management. Option B is wrong because client certificates are for mutual TLS, not a primary authentication method. Option C is wrong because IP filtering is for restricting IP ranges, not authentication. Option E is wrong because CORS is for cross-origin requests, not authentication.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✓
Implement OAuth 2.0 authorization with Microsoft Entra ID.
Why this is correct
OAuth 2.0 is a standard authorization framework.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Use client certificates for authentication.
Why it's wrong here
Client certificates are for mTLS, not primary auth.
✗
Enable Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS).
Why it's wrong here
CORS is for browser cross-origin requests.
✗
Restrict access by IP address only.
Why it's wrong here
IP filtering is not authentication.
✓
Require subscription keys for all API calls.
Why this is correct
Subscription keys provide basic authentication.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A company's IT admin needs to give a contractor read-only access to production logs without sharing account credentials. Using role-based access control (RBAC) and temporary scoped permissions — not a permanent shared password — is the correct pattern. Questions like this test whether you can apply least-privilege access across cloud identity services.
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 Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-100 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Design security solutions for applications and data — This question tests Design security solutions for applications and data — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Implement OAuth 2.0 authorization with Microsoft Entra ID. — A and D are correct. Subscription keys are a basic mechanism to authenticate callers. OAuth 2.0 is a standard authorization framework integrated with Azure API Management. Option B is wrong because client certificates are for mutual TLS, not a primary authentication method. Option C is wrong because IP filtering is for restricting IP ranges, not authentication. Option E is wrong because CORS is for cross-origin requests, not authentication.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related SC-100 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Question Discussion
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