The correct answer is confidentiality because full disk encryption (FDE) renders stored data unreadable without the proper decryption key, directly preventing unauthorized access when a device is lost or stolen. This technical mechanism ensures that even if an attacker physically possesses the laptop, they cannot view files, credentials, or sensitive information—the core definition of confidentiality. On the SC-900 exam, this scenario tests your ability to map security controls to the CIA triad, often appearing in case-based questions where you must distinguish confidentiality from integrity (data accuracy) or availability (uptime). A common trap is confusing encryption with integrity protection, but remember: encryption scrambles data for secrecy, not for tamper detection. For a quick memory tip, think “Encryption = Encode for Confidentiality,” linking the “C” in CIA directly to the lock-and-key nature of FDE.
SC-900 Practice Question: Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity
This SC-900 practice question tests your understanding of describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A company deploys full disk encryption on all employee laptops to protect data in case a device is lost or stolen. Which security goal does this measure primarily address?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Confidentiality
Full disk encryption (FDE) ensures that data stored on the laptop's hard drive is unreadable without the correct decryption key. This directly protects the confidentiality of the data by preventing unauthorized access if the device is lost or stolen, as the encrypted data cannot be deciphered without the key.
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.
✓
Confidentiality
Why this is correct
Encryption protects data from unauthorized access, ensuring only authorized parties can read it.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Integrity
Why it's wrong here
Integrity ensures data is not tampered with, but encryption primarily protects against unauthorized viewing.
✗
Availability
Why it's wrong here
Availability ensures systems and data are accessible when needed; encryption does not directly address availability.
✗
Non-repudiation
Why it's wrong here
Non-repudiation prevents a user from denying an action, often achieved through digital signatures, not encryption alone.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse encryption with integrity or availability, mistakenly thinking encryption also prevents data tampering or ensures data is always accessible, but encryption only addresses unauthorized reading (confidentiality).
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Full disk encryption (e.g., BitLocker using AES-256) encrypts the entire volume at the block level, so even the operating system files are encrypted. When the device is powered off, the data remains encrypted; upon boot, the decryption key (often stored in a TPM chip) is required to unlock the drive. This ensures that if an attacker removes the hard drive and connects it to another machine, the data remains ciphertext without the key.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this SC-900 question in full detail.
Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity — This question tests Describe the concepts of security, compliance, and identity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Confidentiality — Full disk encryption (FDE) ensures that data stored on the laptop's hard drive is unreadable without the correct decryption key. This directly protects the confidentiality of the data by preventing unauthorized access if the device is lost or stolen, as the encrypted data cannot be deciphered without the key.
What should I do if I get this SC-900 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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Question Discussion
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