The answer is to configure a compliance policy that requires device encryption. This is correct because encryption renders corporate data unreadable without the decryption key, directly addressing the need for lost or stolen device data protection. Intune’s compliance policies evaluate encryption status—such as BitLocker, FileVault, or native device encryption—and mark noncompliant devices for conditional access blocking, which prevents unauthorized access even if the device is physically compromised. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this concept tests your understanding of how Intune’s selective wipe and compliance policies work together to protect data without wiping personal content. A common trap is confusing a device wipe with a selective wipe; remember that encryption is a preventive control, while selective wipe is a reactive cleanup. Memory tip: “Encrypt first, wipe second”—compliance enforces the lock, selective wipe cleans up the mess.
SC-100 Practice Question: Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 implementing Microsoft Intune for mobile device management. You need to design a solution that ensures corporate data on mobile devices is protected if the device is lost or stolen. Which TWO actions should you configure?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Configure a compliance policy that requires device encryption
Option B is correct because a compliance policy requiring device encryption ensures that if a device is lost or stolen, the data stored on it is unreadable without the decryption key. Intune compliance policies evaluate encryption status (e.g., BitLocker on Windows, FileVault on macOS, or device encryption on iOS/Android) and mark noncompliant devices for conditional access blocking, preventing unauthorized access to corporate data.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Enforce a minimum PIN length on devices
Why it's wrong here
PIN length improves access security but does not protect data after device loss.
✓
Configure a compliance policy that requires device encryption
Why this is correct
Encryption protects data if the device is physically accessed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Deploy a selective wipe policy that removes corporate data
Why this is correct
Selective wipe can be triggered remotely to remove corporate data from a lost device.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Require app protection policies (MAM) for all apps
Why it's wrong here
App protection policies protect data within apps but not the device itself.
✗
Enable jailbreak detection in a device compliance policy
Why it's wrong here
Jailbreak detection prevents non-compliant devices from accessing data, but does not protect data if the device is lost.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse device-level encryption (compliance policy) with app-level protection (MAM) or access controls (PIN, jailbreak detection), failing to recognize that only encryption and selective wipe directly address data protection on a lost or stolen device.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Device encryption in Intune compliance policies leverages platform-specific technologies: on iOS/iPadOS, it checks that Data Protection is enabled (hardware-backed AES-256 encryption); on Android, it verifies full-disk encryption (FDE) or file-based encryption (FBE) as required by Android 10+. The compliance policy triggers conditional access to block noncompliant devices, and when combined with a selective wipe (Option C), it ensures that corporate data is both encrypted at rest and removable upon loss or theft, providing defense in depth.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities — This question tests Design solutions that align with security best practices and priorities — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Configure a compliance policy that requires device encryption — Option B is correct because a compliance policy requiring device encryption ensures that if a device is lost or stolen, the data stored on it is unreadable without the decryption key. Intune compliance policies evaluate encryption status (e.g., BitLocker on Windows, FileVault on macOS, or device encryption on iOS/Android) and mark noncompliant devices for conditional access blocking, preventing unauthorized access to corporate data.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.