- A
Configure the App Service to use a connection string with a storage account access key.
Why wrong: Connection strings with access keys are less secure and do not use managed identities.
- B
Configure private endpoints for the SQL Database and Storage account.
Private endpoints ensure that traffic stays within the Microsoft network and provides isolation.
- C
Configure the App Service to use a system-assigned managed identity.
Managed identities provide secure authentication without storing credentials.
- D
Use shared access signatures (SAS) for the App Service to access the Storage account.
Why wrong: SAS tokens are less secure than managed identities and require careful management.
- E
Configure service endpoints for the SQL Database and Storage account.
Why wrong: Service endpoints are not as secure as private endpoints and do not provide the same level of network isolation.
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.
Your organization is designing a security solution for a new web application that will be deployed on Azure App Service. The application will access an Azure SQL Database and an Azure Storage account. The security requirements include: (1) use managed identities for authentication, (2) encrypt data at rest and in transit, (3) restrict network access to the database and storage account to only the App Service, and (4) use Azure Key Vault for secrets management. Which TWO of the following should you implement?
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
Configure private endpoints for the SQL Database and Storage account.
Option A and Option D are correct. Managed identities allow the App Service to authenticate to other Azure services without credentials. Private endpoints provide network isolation. Option B is wrong because connection strings with access keys negate the use of managed identities. Option C is wrong because service endpoints are less secure than private endpoints and do not provide the same level of isolation. Option E is wrong because SAS tokens are not recommended when managed identities are available.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Configure the App Service to use a connection string with a storage account access key.
Why it's wrong here
Connection strings with access keys are less secure and do not use managed identities.
- ✓
Configure private endpoints for the SQL Database and Storage account.
Why this is correct
Private endpoints ensure that traffic stays within the Microsoft network and provides isolation.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✓
Configure the App Service to use a system-assigned managed identity.
Why this is correct
Managed identities provide secure authentication without storing credentials.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- ✗
Use shared access signatures (SAS) for the App Service to access the Storage account.
Why it's wrong here
SAS tokens are less secure than managed identities and require careful management.
- ✗
Configure service endpoints for the SQL Database and Storage account.
Why it's wrong here
Service endpoints are not as secure as private endpoints and do not provide the same level of network isolation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
- PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
- Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
- NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
- Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
- Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
- Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SC-100 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
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Design security solutions for applications and data — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-100 question test?
Design security solutions for applications and data — This question tests Design security solutions for applications and data — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure private endpoints for the SQL Database and Storage account. — Option A and Option D are correct. Managed identities allow the App Service to authenticate to other Azure services without credentials. Private endpoints provide network isolation. Option B is wrong because connection strings with access keys negate the use of managed identities. Option C is wrong because service endpoints are less secure than private endpoints and do not provide the same level of isolation. Option E is wrong because SAS tokens are not recommended when managed identities are available.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related SC-100 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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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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