The correct answer is to assign a system-assigned managed identity to the application and grant it the Key Vault Secrets User role. This works because a managed identity provides an automatically managed Azure Active Directory identity for the application, eliminating the need for developers to handle credentials, while the Secrets User role enforces least privilege by restricting access to only secret read operations. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of identity-based access control versus legacy key-based or certificate-based methods, with a common trap being the temptation to use access policies or SAS tokens instead of Azure RBAC. Remember the memory tip: “Managed identity plus Secrets User equals no secrets to manage.”
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. 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 uses Microsoft Defender for Cloud to protect Azure resources. You need to ensure that only authorized applications can access Azure Key Vault secrets. The solution must use managed identities and least privilege. What should you configure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "least"
Why it matters: You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Assign a system-assigned managed identity to the application and grant it Key Vault Secrets User role
Option C is correct because using a system-assigned managed identity and assigning Key Vault access policies with Get and List permissions provides secure, identity-based access with least privilege. Option A is wrong because enabling public network access increases the attack surface. Option B is wrong because shared access signature tokens are less secure and harder to manage. Option D is wrong because certificate-based authentication adds complexity without managed identity benefits.
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.
✗
Use a shared access signature (SAS) token stored in an environment variable
Why it's wrong here
SAS tokens are less secure and require manual management.
✓
Assign a system-assigned managed identity to the application and grant it Key Vault Secrets User role
Why this is correct
This provides secure, identity-based access with least privilege.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "least" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
Enable public network access on Key Vault and restrict inbound IP addresses
Why it's wrong here
Exposing Key Vault to the network increases risk; managed identity is more secure.
✗
Install a client certificate on the application server and use it to authenticate to Key Vault
Why it's wrong here
Certificate management adds complexity; managed identity is preferred for Azure resources.
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 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.
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 a system-assigned managed identity to the application and grant it Key Vault Secrets User role — Option C is correct because using a system-assigned managed identity and assigning Key Vault access policies with Get and List permissions provides secure, identity-based access with least privilege. Option A is wrong because enabling public network access increases the attack surface. Option B is wrong because shared access signature tokens are less secure and harder to manage. Option D is wrong because certificate-based authentication adds complexity without managed identity benefits.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "least". You want the option with minimum overhead, fewest steps, or lowest impact — not the most feature-rich or comprehensive answer.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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