- A
Enable TDE and use server-level firewall rules. Use SQL authentication. Enable auditing.
Why wrong: SQL authentication does not prevent DBA access; no Always Encrypted.
- B
Enable TDE and Always Encrypted for sensitive columns. Use Azure AD authentication. Enable Microsoft Defender for Cloud (SQL) for threat detection. Use Azure Policy to deny DBA access.
TDE encrypts at rest; Always Encrypted prevents DBAs from seeing column data; Azure AD auth eliminates shared passwords; Defender for Cloud detects threats.
- C
Use client-side encryption with Always Encrypted. Use SQL authentication. Enable Advanced Threat Protection.
Why wrong: Client-side encryption is not managed by SQL; SQL authentication allows DBA access.
- D
Enable TDE and use row-level security (RLS). Use Azure AD authentication. Enable Defender for SQL.
Why wrong: RLS does not encrypt data; DBAs can still see data.
SC-100 Design security solutions for infrastructure Practice Question
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security solutions for infrastructure. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 organization is deploying Azure SQL Managed Instance (SQL MI) with sensitive financial data. You need to design a security solution that includes data encryption at rest and in transit, threat detection, and fine-grained access control. The solution must also ensure that database administrators (DBAs) cannot access the data. What should you include?
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
Enable TDE and Always Encrypted for sensitive columns. Use Azure AD authentication. Enable Microsoft Defender for Cloud (SQL) for threat detection. Use Azure Policy to deny DBA access.
Option D uses TDE for at-rest encryption, Always Encrypted for column-level encryption, Defender for Cloud for threat detection, and Azure AD authentication to prevent DBA access. Option A lacks Always Encrypted; Option B lacks column encryption; Option C uses client-side encryption incorrectly.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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 TDE and use server-level firewall rules. Use SQL authentication. Enable auditing.
Why it's wrong here
SQL authentication does not prevent DBA access; no Always Encrypted.
- ✓
Enable TDE and Always Encrypted for sensitive columns. Use Azure AD authentication. Enable Microsoft Defender for Cloud (SQL) for threat detection. Use Azure Policy to deny DBA access.
- ✗
Use client-side encryption with Always Encrypted. Use SQL authentication. Enable Advanced Threat Protection.
Why it's wrong here
Client-side encryption is not managed by SQL; SQL authentication allows DBA access.
- ✗
Enable TDE and use row-level security (RLS). Use Azure AD authentication. Enable Defender for SQL.
Why it's wrong here
RLS does not encrypt data; DBAs can still see data.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Standard ACLs match source addresses.
- Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
- The first matching ACL entry is used.
- There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
- Check inbound versus outbound direction.
- Read the ACL from top to bottom.
- Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SC-100 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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Design security solutions for infrastructure — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-100 question test?
Design security solutions for infrastructure — This question tests Design security solutions for infrastructure — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Enable TDE and Always Encrypted for sensitive columns. Use Azure AD authentication. Enable Microsoft Defender for Cloud (SQL) for threat detection. Use Azure Policy to deny DBA access. — Option D uses TDE for at-rest encryption, Always Encrypted for column-level encryption, Defender for Cloud for threat detection, and Azure AD authentication to prevent DBA access. Option A lacks Always Encrypted; Option B lacks column encryption; Option C uses client-side encryption incorrectly.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related SC-100 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 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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