SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity
A company assigns permissions to users based strictly on their job title (e.g., Sales Manager can edit documents, Sales User can only read). Which identity and access management concept is being implemented?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse least privilege with RBAC, thinking that assigning minimal permissions per role is the same as the principle of least privilege, but RBAC is specifically about organizing permissions by role, while least privilege is a broader security goal that can be achieved through RBAC or other methods.
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
✓
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is the correct concept because it assigns permissions to users based on their job title or role within the organization. In this scenario, the Sales Manager role is granted edit permissions, while the Sales User role is restricted to read-only, which is a direct implementation of RBAC where access rights are tied to roles rather than individual users.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege is a security principle that grants users the minimum level of access needed to perform their job. While RBAC often helps achieve least privilege, the scenario specifically describes assigning permissions by job role, which is RBAC.
When this WOULD be correct
A question stating: 'A company ensures users have only the permissions necessary to perform their specific tasks, nothing more. Which concept is this?' would make least privilege the correct answer.
- ✓
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Why this is correct
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is an access management model where permissions are aggregated into specific roles, which are then assigned to users based on their job functions or responsibilities. This method ensures that users receive a consistent set of permissions directly relevant to their defined duties, streamlining administration and enhancing security by aligning access with organizational structure. The scenario directly describes this systematic assignment of permissions according to job title.
- ✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth is a comprehensive security strategy that employs multiple, overlapping layers of security controls to protect assets and data. Instead of relying on a single point of defense, it aims to slow down and deter attackers by requiring them to overcome successive barriers, encompassing administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. This approach focuses on overall organizational resilience rather than a specific method of assigning user permissions.
- ✗
Zero Trust
Why it's wrong here
Zero Trust is a modern security model that operates on the principle of 'never trust, always verify,' regardless of whether the user or device is inside or outside the traditional network perimeter. It mandates strict identity verification for every access request and continuous validation of device health and context before granting access. While it can leverage RBAC for authorization, Zero Trust is a broader architectural philosophy that fundamentally shifts how trust is established and maintained across an entire digital environment, not solely about initial permission assignment.
When this WOULD be correct
A question asks: 'A company implements a security model where no user or device is trusted by default, and every access request is verified regardless of location. Which concept is this?' Zero Trust would be the correct answer.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The SC-900 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) is an access management model where permissions are aggregated into specific roles, which are then assigned to users based on their job functions or responsibilities. This method ensures that users receive a consistent set of permissions directly relevant to their defined duties, streamlining administration and enhancing security by aligning access with organizational structure. The scenario directly describes this systematic assignment of permissions according to job title.
✗Least privilegeWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Least privilege grants users only the minimum permissions needed to perform their job, not based on job title. The question describes permissions assigned by job title, which is RBAC, not least privilege.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question stating: 'A company ensures users have only the permissions necessary to perform their specific tasks, nothing more. Which concept is this?' would make least privilege the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse least privilege with RBAC because both involve limiting permissions, but they focus on different aspects: RBAC assigns by role, while least privilege minimizes permissions regardless of role.
✗Zero TrustWrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Zero Trust is a security model that assumes no implicit trust and requires continuous verification, not a method for assigning permissions based on job titles. The question describes role-based permission assignment, which is RBAC.
★ When this WOULD be the correct answer
A question asks: 'A company implements a security model where no user or device is trusted by default, and every access request is verified regardless of location. Which concept is this?' Zero Trust would be the correct answer.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse Zero Trust with access control because it involves verifying permissions, but Zero Trust is a broader security framework, not a specific access control model like RBAC.
Analysis generated from the official SC-900blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
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 |
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Identity Concepts
Key term
Least privilege
Least privilege is a security principle that means giving users, systems, or programs only the minimum permissions they need to do their job and nothing more.
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This SC-900 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-900 exam.