- A
Use least privilege access
Least privilege limits access to only what is needed.
- B
Verify explicitly
Zero Trust requires verifying every access request.
- C
Trust implicitly
Why wrong: Zero Trust assumes no implicit trust.
- D
Use a single authentication method
Why wrong: Zero Trust encourages multiple layers of authentication (e.g., MFA).
- E
Assume breach
Assume breach design limits blast radius and verifies all transactions.
Question 969 of 969
Design security operations, identity, and compliance capabilities →hardMultiple SelectObjective-mapped
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 Entra ID and needs to implement a Zero Trust identity strategy. Which THREE principles should you apply?
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
✓
Use least privilege access
Option A is correct because least privilege access is a core Zero Trust principle that ensures users, devices, and services are granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their tasks. In Microsoft Entra ID, this is implemented through features like Privileged Identity Management (PIM), Conditional Access policies, and role-based access control (RBAC) to reduce the attack surface and limit lateral movement.
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.
- ✓
Use least privilege access
Why this is correct
Least privilege limits access to only what is needed.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
Verify explicitly
Why this is correct
Zero Trust requires verifying every access request.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Trust implicitly
Why it's wrong here
Zero Trust assumes no implicit trust.
- ✗
Use a single authentication method
Why it's wrong here
Zero Trust encourages multiple layers of authentication (e.g., MFA).
- ✓
Assume breach
Why this is correct
Assume breach design limits blast radius and verifies all transactions.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'Trust implicitly' with the legacy perimeter-based security model and select it as a valid principle, or mistakenly think a single authentication method simplifies management, but Zero Trust explicitly rejects both for continuous verification and defense-in-depth.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Zero Trust identity principles are derived from the NIST SP 800-207 framework, which mandates continuous validation of authentication and authorization for every access request. In Microsoft Entra ID, 'Assume breach' drives practices like using Conditional Access session controls to enforce token protection and session revocation, while 'Verify explicitly' requires real-time checks of user identity, device health, and location via signals like device compliance and risk scores from Microsoft Defender for Identity.
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.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
What to study next
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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: Use least privilege access — Option A is correct because least privilege access is a core Zero Trust principle that ensures users, devices, and services are granted only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their tasks. In Microsoft Entra ID, this is implemented through features like Privileged Identity Management (PIM), Conditional Access policies, and role-based access control (RBAC) to reduce the attack surface and limit lateral movement.
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.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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