This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for applications and data. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Your company is deploying Microsoft Entra ID for application authentication. You need to register a new web application that uses OAuth 2.0 for user sign-in. Which authentication flow should you use?
Device code flow
Why wrong: For devices without browser, not typical web app.
Authorization code flow
Standard flow for web apps with backend.
Implicit flow
Why wrong: Deprecated for user sign-in, not recommended.
Client credentials flow
Why wrong: Used for service-to-service, no user interaction.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Authorization code flow
Option B is correct because Authorization Code Flow is the recommended flow for web applications that have a backend server. Option A is wrong because Implicit Flow is deprecated for user sign-in. Option C is wrong because Client Credentials Flow is for server-to-server without user. Option D is wrong because Device Code Flow is for input-constrained devices.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Device code flow
Why it's wrong here
For devices without browser, not typical web app.
Authorization code flow
Why this is correct
Standard flow for web apps with backend.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
Implicit flow
Why it's wrong here
Deprecated for user sign-in, not recommended.
Client credentials flow
Why it's wrong here
Used for service-to-service, no user interaction.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
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.
What to study next
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.
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FAQ
Design security solutions for applications and data — This question tests Design security solutions for applications and data — Authentication checks who the user is..
The correct answer is: Authorization code flow — Option B is correct because Authorization Code Flow is the recommended flow for web applications that have a backend server. Option A is wrong because Implicit Flow is deprecated for user sign-in. Option C is wrong because Client Credentials Flow is for server-to-server without user. Option D is wrong because Device Code Flow is for input-constrained devices.
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.
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 2026
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