The answer is the shared responsibility model. This concept is correct because it formally divides security obligations between the cloud provider and the customer: the provider handles “security of the cloud” (physical data centers, patching the platform, and ensuring availability), while the customer manages “security in the cloud” (user accounts, passwords, and data access). On the Microsoft SC-900 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how responsibilities shift depending on the service model (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)—here, a cloud-based email service is SaaS, so the provider owns the infrastructure and platform patches, but the customer must secure identities and endpoints. A common trap is assuming the provider handles everything, but the model explicitly leaves user management and password policies to the customer. For a quick memory tip, think “Provider protects the house; you lock the doors inside.”
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. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 uses a cloud-based email service. The service provider ensures that the physical data centers are secure and that the email platform is patched and available. The company is responsible for managing user accounts and ensuring that employees use strong passwords. This division of responsibilities is an example of which concept?
Why wrong: Defense in depth is a security strategy that uses multiple layers of controls, not a division of responsibilities between provider and customer.
B
Shared responsibility model
Correct. The shared responsibility model clearly divides security obligations between the cloud provider and the customer.
C
Zero Trust
Why wrong: Zero Trust is a security model based on 'never trust, always verify' and does not define provider/customer responsibility split.
D
Principle of least privilege
Why wrong: Least privilege means granting users only the permissions they need to perform their job, not a division of cloud security responsibilities.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Shared responsibility model
The scenario describes a clear division of security responsibilities between the cloud service provider (securing physical data centers, patching the platform) and the customer (managing user accounts, enforcing strong passwords). This is the core definition of the shared responsibility model, which is a foundational concept in cloud computing (as defined by NIST SP 800-145 and adopted by major providers like Microsoft 365). The model explicitly delineates that the provider is responsible for 'security of the cloud' (physical hosts, network, hypervisor) while the customer is responsible for 'security in the cloud' (user identities, data, client endpoints).
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.
✗
Defense in depth
Why it's wrong here
Defense in depth is a security strategy that uses multiple layers of controls, not a division of responsibilities between provider and customer.
✓
Shared responsibility model
Why this is correct
Correct. The shared responsibility model clearly divides security obligations between the cloud provider and the customer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Zero Trust
Why it's wrong here
Zero Trust is a security model based on 'never trust, always verify' and does not define provider/customer responsibility split.
✗
Principle of least privilege
Why it's wrong here
Least privilege means granting users only the permissions they need to perform their job, not a division of cloud security responsibilities.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the shared responsibility model with defense in depth because both involve multiple security layers, but the question specifically tests the contractual and operational division of security tasks between cloud provider and customer, not the stacking of controls.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Microsoft 365, the shared responsibility model is explicitly documented in the Service Trust Portal. For SaaS services like Exchange Online, Microsoft handles physical security, OS patching, and service-level availability (e.g., 99.9% SLA), while the tenant admin manages user identities via Azure AD, configures multi-factor authentication (MFA), and enforces password policies (e.g., via Conditional Access or password expiration settings). A common subtlety is that for IaaS (e.g., Azure VMs), the customer retains responsibility for guest OS patching and application security, shifting the boundary compared to SaaS.
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 healthcare organisation deploys an application with a public-facing web tier and a private database tier. The database subnet has no public IP and only accepts connections from the web tier's security group. Questions like this test whether you can design cloud network isolation using VNets/VPCs, subnets, and security group rules.
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: Shared responsibility model — The scenario describes a clear division of security responsibilities between the cloud service provider (securing physical data centers, patching the platform) and the customer (managing user accounts, enforcing strong passwords). This is the core definition of the shared responsibility model, which is a foundational concept in cloud computing (as defined by NIST SP 800-145 and adopted by major providers like Microsoft 365). The model explicitly delineates that the provider is responsible for 'security of the cloud' (physical hosts, network, hypervisor) while the customer is responsible for 'security in the cloud' (user identities, data, client endpoints).
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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