- A
Configure AWS Config and GCP Security Command Center to export findings to Microsoft Sentinel
Why wrong: This centralizes logs but does not enforce a single security baseline across clouds.
- B
Connect AWS and GCP accounts to Defender for Cloud and use Azure Policy to enforce the Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark
Connecting multi-cloud accounts allows Defender for Cloud to assess them against Azure Policy initiatives like the Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark.
- C
Use regulatory compliance standards for each cloud separately
Why wrong: Regulatory compliance standards are predefined and may not match your custom baseline.
- D
Enable the Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) plan and configure AWS and GCP connectors
Why wrong: CSPM assesses posture but applies different baselines per cloud unless you use Azure Policy.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to connect AWS and GCP accounts to Defender for Cloud and use Azure Policy to enforce the Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark. This works because Defender for Cloud’s multi-cloud capabilities ingest security signals from connected AWS and GCP accounts, allowing Azure Policy to apply the same Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark across all three environments as a unified baseline. On the Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how Defender for Cloud acts as a centralized policy engine rather than a posture-only tool; a common trap is confusing the CSPM plan (which assesses posture but doesn’t enforce a single baseline) with the actual policy enforcement mechanism. Remember that regulatory compliance standards are for specific regulations, not for creating a custom baseline, and native tools like AWS Config or GCP Security Command Center operate in isolation. A helpful memory tip is “Connect, then Policy—one baseline to rule them all.”
SC-100 Practice Question: Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities
This SC-100 practice question tests your understanding of design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities. 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 Microsoft Defender for Cloud to secure multi-cloud workloads. You need to ensure that Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) resources are assessed against the same security baseline. What should you do?
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
Connect AWS and GCP accounts to Defender for Cloud and use Azure Policy to enforce the Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark
Microsoft Defender for Cloud can assess resources from Azure, AWS, and GCP using security policies. By default, Azure Policy is used for Azure resources. To assess AWS and GCP, you need to connect those cloud accounts to Defender for Cloud and then use Azure Policy to enforce standards like Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark. Option A is wrong because the CSPM plan assesses posture but does not use a single baseline across clouds. Option C is wrong because regulatory compliance standards apply to specific regulations, not custom baselines. Option D is wrong because AWS Config and GCP Security Command Center are separate tools, not integrated into a single baseline.
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.
- ✗
Configure AWS Config and GCP Security Command Center to export findings to Microsoft Sentinel
Why it's wrong here
This centralizes logs but does not enforce a single security baseline across clouds.
- ✓
Connect AWS and GCP accounts to Defender for Cloud and use Azure Policy to enforce the Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark
Why this is correct
Connecting multi-cloud accounts allows Defender for Cloud to assess them against Azure Policy initiatives like the Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use regulatory compliance standards for each cloud separately
Why it's wrong here
Regulatory compliance standards are predefined and may not match your custom baseline.
- ✗
Enable the Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) plan and configure AWS and GCP connectors
Why it's wrong here
CSPM assesses posture but applies different baselines per cloud unless you use Azure Policy.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which SC-100 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this SC-100 question test?
Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — This question tests Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Connect AWS and GCP accounts to Defender for Cloud and use Azure Policy to enforce the Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark — Microsoft Defender for Cloud can assess resources from Azure, AWS, and GCP using security policies. By default, Azure Policy is used for Azure resources. To assess AWS and GCP, you need to connect those cloud accounts to Defender for Cloud and then use Azure Policy to enforce standards like Microsoft Cloud Security Benchmark. Option A is wrong because the CSPM plan assesses posture but does not use a single baseline across clouds. Option C is wrong because regulatory compliance standards apply to specific regulations, not custom baselines. Option D is wrong because AWS Config and GCP Security Command Center are separate tools, not integrated into a single baseline.
What should I do if I get this SC-100 question wrong?
Identify which SC-100 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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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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