The answer is to use Azure RBAC roles and POSIX-like access control lists (ACLs) to authorize access to Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2. Azure RBAC roles, such as Storage Blob Data Contributor, provide coarse-grained, role-based authorization at the storage account or container level, while POSIX-like ACLs enable fine-grained permissions on individual directories and files, allowing precise control over read, write, and execute operations. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this question tests your understanding of the layered security model for Data Lake Storage Gen2, where RBAC handles broad access and ACLs handle granular security—a common trap is confusing SAS tokens or managed identities as authorization methods, when they are actually delegation and identity mechanisms, not authorization controls. Remember the memory tip: “RBAC for the big picture, ACLs for the fine print.”
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 uses Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2 for big data analytics. You need to secure access to the data using Azure RBAC and ACLs. Which two methods can you use to authorize 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
✓
Assign Azure RBAC roles such as Storage Blob Data Contributor to security principals.
Options A and B are correct. Azure RBAC roles (e.g., Storage Blob Data Contributor) provide coarse-grained access. POSIX-like ACLs provide fine-grained access at directory/file level. Option C is wrong because SAS tokens provide delegated access but not RBAC/ACL. Option D is wrong because managed identity is an identity, not an authorization method. Option E is wrong because firewall rules control network access.
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.
✗
Configure IP firewall rules to restrict access.
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules control network access, not authorization.
✓
Assign Azure RBAC roles such as Storage Blob Data Contributor to security principals.
Why this is correct
RBAC roles grant permissions to storage account.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✓
Set POSIX-like access control lists (ACLs) on directories and files.
Why this is correct
ACLs provide granular permissions.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Use managed identities for Azure resources.
Why it's wrong here
Managed identities are identities, not authorization methods.
✗
Generate shared access signatures (SAS) for delegated access.
Why it's wrong here
SAS is a token, not an authorization method for permanent access.
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 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.
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: Assign Azure RBAC roles such as Storage Blob Data Contributor to security principals. — Options A and B are correct. Azure RBAC roles (e.g., Storage Blob Data Contributor) provide coarse-grained access. POSIX-like ACLs provide fine-grained access at directory/file level. Option C is wrong because SAS tokens provide delegated access but not RBAC/ACL. Option D is wrong because managed identity is an identity, not an authorization method. Option E is wrong because firewall rules control network access.
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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